When to plant collards in Astoria, OR

Start collards from seed indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4, then plant the young plants in the garden in Astoria Apr 1 – May 13. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 6–20.

Easy Plant young plants (starts)

Difficulty: Easy
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Spacing: 18 to 24 inches apart
Planting depth: Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot
Frost: Handles light frost
First harvest: About 60 days after planting

Why these dates

Astoria's typical last spring frost is March 26. On the coast, the soil is usually ready for collards around April 1.

Coast. Mild winters but cool, foggy summers. Frost is rarely the problem; warmth is. Pick early, cool-tolerant varieties of tomatoes and squash.

How to grow collards in Astoria

Start seeds indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4 in trays or small pots under a grow light or in your sunniest window. Or skip this step and buy young plants (starts) at a garden center.
Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
Plant them in the garden Apr 1 – May 13, 18 to 24 inches apart. Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot.
Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
Plant again Aug 6–20 for a fall harvest.
Harvest: Pick the lower leaves when they're about the size of your hand, and let the top keep growing. Leaves picked after a frost taste sweetest.

Key numbers

6.0–7.5Soil pH
18–24 inchesSpacing
Down to about 10°FCold hardiness
Cabbage wormsBiggest risk

Growing notes

What makes the difference in Northwest gardens, in plain language.

Why collards suit Northwest winters

Collards are a loose-leaf member of the cabbage family, very close to kale. They're tougher than most of their cousins: established plants usually ride out freezes into the low teens, and cold weather turns some of the starch in the leaves to sugar, which is why winter collards taste milder and sweeter than summer ones.

West of the Cascades, a planting set out in midsummer gives leaves from fall right through to spring. East of the Cascades, hard winters can kill them, but fall harvests are still excellent.

Soil, feeding and picking

Like all leafy cabbage-family crops, collards want rich soil with plenty of nitrogen and a pH of about 6.0 to 7.5. Mix in compost before planting and side-dress with a balanced fertilizer a month later. Keep the soil evenly moist; stressed plants get tough, bitter leaves.

Pick from the bottom up, taking two or three leaves per plant at a time and leaving the growing tip alone. A well-fed plant keeps making new leaves for months.

Keeping pests off

The white cabbage butterfly lays eggs on the leaves, and the green caterpillars that hatch chew big holes. Aphids cluster under leaves in late summer. Insect netting or row cover laid over hoops from planting day is the simplest fix. Hand-pick any caterpillars you find, and knock aphids off with a strong spray of water.

Don't grow collards in the same spot as kale, cabbage or broccoli two years running. That breaks the cycle of clubroot and other soil diseases the family shares.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Astoria, OR?

Typically March 26. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 18. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Astoria Regional Airport.

Is it too late to plant collards in Astoria?

The spring planting window runs through May 13. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 6 to August 20.

When should I start collards from seed indoors in Astoria?

February 18 to March 4, which is 6 to 4 weeks before the April 1 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

What's the difference between collards and kale?

They're the same species with different leaves. Collards have broad, flat, smooth leaves; most kales are curly or crinkled. Collards are a bit more heat-tolerant and slightly milder.

When do collards taste best?

After a few frosts. Cold makes the plant store sugar in its leaves, so fall and winter collards are noticeably sweeter.

Can I grow collards in summer?

Yes, they handle heat better than most cabbage-family greens. In hot eastern valleys, give them afternoon shade and steady water.

Also plant in Astoria around the same time

Planting dates for collards in nearby areas

Coos Bay and North Bend, OR Apr 1 – May 13
Tillamook, OR Apr 1 – May 13
Newport and Lincoln City, OR Apr 1 – May 13
Brookings and Gold Beach, OR Apr 1 – May 13
Aberdeen and Hoquiam, WA Apr 1 – May 13
Forks, WA Apr 1 – May 13

Full planting calendar for Astoria · Collards in every city