Crop guides · guide
Fall collards: the Southern crop that rewards a frost
When to set collards for fall, how to harvest for months, and why fall beats spring.
Not yet expert-reviewed. Written by BAU Farm Intelligence from public extension and agency sources. Check dates and program details with your local extension office.
Timing
Set fall collards about 12 weeks before your first fall frost. Spring plantings work, but bolt and bug pressure make fall the better crop.
Harvest
Pick lower leaves and leave the bud. One planting can be harvested for months. Flavor sweetens after a couple of hard frosts.
Pests
Watch for cabbage worms and aphids from setting through October. Row cover early saves spraying later.
Selling
Collards sell by the bunch or by the box to grocers and restaurants. Ask your buyer which they want before harvest day.