When to Plant Collard Green in Bay City, Michigan (48708)

Location

Bay City, Michigan

ZIP Code

48708

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Monday, April 20, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Monday, March 9, 2026

Transplant Outdoors

Monday, April 20, 2026

Based on last frost Monday, April 20, 2026 · Zone 6a

Pro tip: Start Collard Green seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Monday, April 20, 2026.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Brassica oleracea var. viridis

Days to Maturity 60 days

Mature Height 24-36"

Spread 18"

Type Leaf

Fruit Size N/A

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6+ hours)

💧

Water

Regular (1-1.5 inches/week)

↔️

Spacing

18" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.5" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 4-7 days

Ready to Plant Collard Green in Bay City?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Monday, March 9, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

BeetCeleryOnionDill

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

TomatoStrawberryPepper

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Collard Green

See which plants help Collard Green thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🔴 Difficult

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Harvest seed pods when dry and tan, before they shatter.

Processing

Thresh dried seed stalks, winnow to separate seeds from chaff.

Seed Viability

Up to 5 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

B. oleracea — crosses with all other oleracea crops including kale, broccoli, and cabbage.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 14 plants of Collard Green. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Collard Green in Bay City, Michigan? +

In Bay City (Zone 6a), start Collard Green seeds indoors around Monday, March 9, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Monday, April 20, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Bay City, Michigan? +

The average last spring frost date for Bay City, Michigan (ZIP 48708) is around Monday, April 20, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 6a.

How long does Collard Green take to grow? +

Collard Green typically matures in about 60 days from transplanting. In Bay City, that means you can expect harvest around Monday, April 20, 2026 plus 60 days.

Should I start Collard Green indoors or direct sow in Michigan? +

Collard Green should be started indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date. In Bay City, that means starting around Monday, March 9, 2026.

📚 More Collard Green Planting Guides

🗺️

Collard Green in Michigan

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 6a Collard Green Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

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Growing Collard Green in Zone 6a

Collard Green (Brassica oleracea var. viridis) is a popular garden vegetable. In Bay City, Michigan, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a, you should start seeds indoors around Monday, March 9, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Monday, April 20, 2026. Plan to transplant your Collard Green seedlings outdoors around Monday, April 20, 2026, about 0 weeks after your last frost date.