PlantingWindowThe American Planting Almanac

When to plant collards in Charlotte, North Carolina

March 16 – March 30

Direct-sow outdoors · typical Charlotte year

Climate basis: NOAA station Charlotte Douglas AP, NC (USW00013881), 6 mi (10 km) from downtown Charlotte (ZCTA 28202 centroid), elevation 728 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Direct-sow collards from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (March 30). One year in ten still freezes after April 14.

Last spring freezeMarch 301-in-10 after Apr 14
First fall freezeNovember 31-in-10 before Oct 22
Frost-free season≈ 221 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Mar 17 – Nov 14kills even hardy greens
USDA zone8a10 to 15°F winter low — not frost timing

The Charlotte year

Direct-sow outdoorsMar 16 – Mar 30
Fall plantingSep 8 – Oct 6
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 14
Collards in Charlotte · freeze context from Charlotte Douglas AP, NC, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Direct-sow outdoors

Mar 16 – Mar 30

Purdue: hardy — 4–6 weeks before the last frost; Penn State's earliest sowing Apr 17 (−14 days) is the later start and is used. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 30). Penn State Extension (York County Master Gardeners) · Purdue University Extension

Fall planting

Sep 8 – Oct 6

Purdue Table 2: plant fall collards at least 4–8 weeks before the first fall frost. Anchored to the median first fall freeze (Nov 3). Purdue University Extension

Variety assumption: Assumes an average variety (about 70–80 days; Penn State lists 80).

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:
Crop rule sources (2)

Keep exploring

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