PlantingWindowThe American Planting Almanac

When to plant collards in Kansas City, Missouri

March 21 – April 4

Direct-sow outdoors · typical Kansas City year

Climate basis: NOAA station Kansas City Downtown AP, MO (USW00013988), 2 mi (3 km) from downtown Kansas City (ZCTA 64106 centroid), elevation 742 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Direct-sow collards from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 4). One year in ten still freezes after April 20.

Last spring freezeApril 41-in-10 after Apr 20
First fall freezeNovember 21-in-10 before Oct 21
Frost-free season≈ 211 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Mar 26 – Nov 11kills even hardy greens
USDA zone6b-5 to 0°F winter low — not frost timing

The Kansas City year

Direct-sow outdoorsMar 21 – Apr 4
Fall plantingSep 7 – Oct 5
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 20
Collards in Kansas City · freeze context from Kansas City Downtown AP, MO, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Direct-sow outdoors

Mar 21 – Apr 4

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 (Apr 4). Penn State Extension (York County Master Gardeners) · Purdue University Extension

Fall planting

Sep 7 – Oct 5

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