PlantingWindowThe American Planting Almanac

When to plant collards in Memphis, Tennessee

March 5 – March 19

Direct-sow outdoors · typical Memphis year

Climate basis: NOAA station W Memphis, AR (USC00037712), 7 mi (12 km) from downtown Memphis (ZCTA 38103 centroid), elevation 215 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 19). One year in ten still freezes after April 7.

Last spring freezeMarch 191-in-10 after Apr 7
First fall freezeNovember 101-in-10 before Oct 28
Frost-free season≈ 235 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Mar 7 – Nov 22kills even hardy greens
USDA zone8a10 to 15°F winter low — not frost timing

The Memphis year

Direct-sow outdoorsMar 5 – Mar 19
Fall plantingSep 15 – Oct 13
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 7
Collards in Memphis · freeze context from W Memphis, AR, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Direct-sow outdoors

Mar 5 – Mar 19

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

Fall planting

Sep 15 – Oct 13

Purdue Table 2: plant fall collards at least 4–8 weeks before the first fall frost. Anchored to the median first fall freeze (Nov 10). 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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