leafy · transplant
Collards: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating collards a few times a week needs about 10 plants in ~38 sq ft, worth about $75 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$3.00/lb retail — an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 3 | ~12 sq ft | ~4 | ~$23 |
| 2 people | 5 | ~19 sq ft | ~6 | ~$38 |
| 4 people | 10 | ~38 sq ft | ~12 | ~$75 |
| 6 people | 15 | ~57 sq ft | ~18 | ~$113 |
Spacing
18" in row · 30" between rows
Sow depth
0.5"
Days to harvest
50 from transplant (60 from seed)
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Apr 7 – May 10 | Jun 1 – Jul 31 |
| Zone 4 | Apr 2 – May 5 | Jun 11 – Aug 10 |
| Zone 5 | Mar 23 – Apr 25 | Jun 21 – Aug 20 |
| Zone 6 | Mar 13 – Apr 15 | Jul 1 – Aug 30 |
| Zone 7 | Feb 26 – Mar 31 | Jul 11 – Sep 9 |
| Zone 8 | Feb 15 – Mar 20 | Aug 1 – Sep 30 |
| Zone 9 | Jan 13 – Feb 15 | Aug 21 – Oct 20 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 1 – Jan 26 | Aug 31 – Oct 30 |
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Yield
About 2.5 lbs per plant over ~16 productive weeks (~2.5 lb).
Watch for
Cabbage worms & loopers · Aphids · Flea beetles — the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
32 kcal · 4 g fiber · 35.3 mg vitamin C · 213 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code — not just your zone — in about 60 seconds.