Stephanie Imani LaFlora

Confused about “planting zones”? Here’s what you actually need to know 🌱

Your USDA hardiness zone tells you your average frost dates — that’s it. For fall crops like collards, the rule of thumb is: count back 65-70 days from your area’s first frost to know your ideal planting window.

But here’s the part that trips people up — that countdown isn’t about escaping the cold. Collards actually LOVE frost (it makes them sweeter!). It’s really about giving your plant enough time to grow to a real size before things slow down for winter.

So depending on where you are:
🥶 Zone 5-6 → planting NOW
🌤️ Zone 7-8 → you’re in the sweet spot this week
🔥 Zone 9-10 → still too hot, wait for it to break (often not till Nov)

Find your zone by searching your zip code + “USDA hardiness zone” — takes 10 seconds and tells you exactly where you stand.

Growing anything this fall? Drop your zone in the comments 👇

🌿 Collard Club is open — link in bio

#GardeningZones #FallGarden #CollardGreens #CollardClub #GardeningForBeginners