Collard Greens are a vegetable that belongs to the cabbage family, Brassicaceae. Their harvesting and preparation techniques are similar to those of kale.
Collard greens are an autumn or spring crop that thrives in cool conditions, but they bolt in the summer. These nutrient-dense greens have full sun, well-draining soil that is rich in nutrients, and generally temperate weather.
Collard Greens Overview
| Common Name | Collard greens, collards |
| Botanical Name | Brassica oleracea var. viridis |
| Family | Brassicaceae |
| Plant Type | Vegetable |
| Size | 8-14 in. tall |
| Sun Exposure | Full |
| Soil Type | Well-drained |
| Soil pH | Neutral |
| Hardiness Zones | 2-11 (USDA) |
How to Plant Collard Greens
You can grow collard plants from seed or transplant them from nurseries. If you plant these greens at the appropriate time of year, they are rather simple to grow.
When to Plant
Plant seeds outdoors approximately two weeks prior to the last date of your spring frost, or give yourself a head start by starting indoors four to six weeks earlier and transplanting the seedlings around the time of your last frost.
These plants can withstand cold spring temperatures with ease. Plant in midsummer, around six to eight weeks before the first fall frost date, for a fall crop in cool areas. If you have protection, you can harvest collard greens well into the winter.
Plant in the autumn and harvest all winter long for the finest crop in USDA hardiness zones 8 and above. Collard greens are one of the greens that cook best in cool weather.
Selecting a Planting Site
Collard greens require a lot of sunlight to develop well. It is best to grow this vegetable in full sun, with at least six hours of direct sunshine per day. Additionally, it is essential to plant in or prepare loamy, nutrient-rich soil that can retain some moisture but still allow for easy drainage.
Spacing, Depth, and Support
Plant seeds 1/4–1½ inches deep. Large, open plants are collards. You can plant them more thickly and then thin and consume the young plants until you achieve the appropriate spacing, or you can plant them 18 to 24 inches apart. Collard greens do not require any kind of support.
Collard Greens Care
Replanting collards can take place in early spring, late summer, or early autumn, depending on your location in the South. Later in the year, you can directly sow seeds in the garden. Because of the cold soil temperature in the spring, transplants usually have greater success.
Collards thrive in soil that is rich in nitrogen and organic materials. Plant them as accent plants in a container or in full sun in your garden.
Light
Planting collards in an area that receives six hours or more of direct sunlight per day will maximize their productivity. These are cool-weather plants, yet they do well in direct sunlight. If you’re planting late in the summer, your collards may appreciate some afternoon shade.
Although collards can withstand some shade, they need at least four hours of sunlight per day to fully develop their flavour.
Soil
Collard greens prefer soil that drains easily and is high in organic matter. The pH of the soil should stay neutral, between 6.5 and 7.0. Since collard greens are leaf-producing plants, they need nitrogen to thrive. These greens are not appropriate for poor soils.
It is ideal to plant collard seeds or starts in well-prepared soil with adequate drainage. Enough drainage prevents bacterial and fungal infestations that could infect leaves.
Water
To encourage fresh leaf growth, give the plants plenty of water and harvest them frequently. These plants need one to one and a half inches of water per week. Mulch preserves moist soil and clean leaves.
Temperature and Humidity
Collard greens are a cool-season vegetable that often bolts in the middle of summer as the temperature rises and the length of the day increases. Instead of being sown for a midsummer harvest, they are typically sown either early or late.
Collard greens may withstand a small frost, but prolonged low temperatures will cause your plants to die. Use a cold frame or hoop house to shield your collard greens so you can keep harvesting in chilly climates. Collards can grow in arid or damp soil as long as the soil stays hydrated.
Fertilizer
If you feed your plants more nitrogen, they will yield more leaves. Collard greens also require calcium for optimal health. Consider having your soil tested by your neighbourhood extension office to assist you in selecting a fertilizer.
Calcium nitrate is a fantastic choice for many gardens. Apply a calcium nitrate fertilizer as a side dressing three to four weeks after planting. Determine the necessary quantity by consulting the label’s instructions.
In order to keep the roots from burning, give the plants lots of water and distribute the fertilizer four to six inches apart. After three or four more weeks, you can fertilize once again.
Collard Greens vs. Kale
Collards belong to the cabbage family, just like kale, except they don’t have heads. Although genetically speaking, kale and collards are fairly similar, years of breeding and cultivation have resulted in plants with distinct flavours and textures. Collard leaves are smooth, nearly waxy, and feature prominent veining.
Their vibrant green to dark green stems is incredibly robust and fibrous, and they are fairly huge. In addition, collard greens typically taste bitterer and stronger than kale. Collard flowers are true to the cruciferous family; they feature four yellow petals arranged in a cross. The edible blooms taste sweet, much like cabbage.
Pruning
Pruning is only necessary in certain cases, such as when your plant bolts prematurely. In order to maintain the flow of nutrients towards the formation of leaves rather than flowers, remove bolts prior to flowering. Using a fresh set of pruning snips just cut the bolt about an inch above the first leaf growth point.
Throughout the plant’s life cycle, look for any damaged leaves that may have mildew, wilt, or leaf spots and remove them. Some people recommend staking collards, but it really depends on the type. In order to sustain your fall crop, if your plants grow tall, place a stake off to one side.
Propagation
You can get more of the plant by taking a clipping from a tree-collapsed plant. But for most species, seed is the only means of propagation.
I chose to allow my collard green plant to bloom this year instead of stopping it from growing until harvest time. When the flower pods died, they had grown and gained weight.
Once inside the bag, I removed the seeds from the pod debris. It’s preferable to preserve collard seeds this way. Collard greens can be saved for another crop and replanted when the greens are harvested and the seeds are collected.
Harvesting and Storing
Collards are resilient in both the garden and storage. Here are some methods for gathering and preserving collards to enjoy with loved ones.
Harvesting
It is possible to collect leaves when they are between 6 and 8 inches in size. Just harvest the leaves like you would any other plant in the cabbage family, breaking off the stems first at the base of the plant. An alternative is to cut the leaves off with a hand tool.
This is applicable to almost all seasons and plant life stages. Furthermore, the entire plant is harvestable. To harvest the plant whole, just cut it off at the ground’s surface and cover the root with compost.
Storing
Fresh collards can be refrigerated or blanched and then frozen. When properly sealed, canned collards have a minimum shelf life of one year. Please be aware that most leafy greens cannot be safely water bath canned; instead, these low-acid items must be pressure canned.
Five days after opening, they must be consumed. If you have an abundance of collard greens, freezing or canning them before they go bad could be a terrific way to preserve them.
How to Grow Collard Greens from Seed
You can plant collard green seeds directly in the ground or start them indoors. To start inside, use seed trays and plant seeds 1/4 inch deep. Repot the seedlings after they have one genuine set of leaves, and keep the soil damp until germination.
When planting collard greens seeds outside, divide them into groups of three to four and sow them approximately 1/2 inch deep. Maintain one foot’s distance between each group and an additional foot between rows. After they sprout, thin the seedlings to one per group.
Overwintering
As indicated before, collard greens can typically withstand winter in the South, particularly if you live in a Zone 6 or 7 gardens and the winter is warmer than usual. If you live in the Upper South, collards will grow nicely in a cold frame over the winter.
If you do not have access to a cold frame, provide your plants with an additional layer of protection on days when the temperature drops below freezing. On chilly evenings, you can also use a sheet or floating row cover to protect the plants.
Common Pests and Diseases
Although their hardy leaves provide some protection, collards are susceptible to the same illnesses and pests as other members of the cabbage family.
It is recommended to stay away from cabbage worms, flea beetles, slugs, loppers, and maggots in the roots. For best results, use insecticidal soap or citrus oil as a control measure. To stop white cabbage butterflies from depositing their eggs on the plants, cover them with a floating row cover.
Given that soil borne infections tend to collect, plant collards in different locations every year. Keep all of your cruciferous vegetables out of the way and rotate them if you’re worried about bugs or illnesses.
FAQ
When harvested, will collard green regret occur?
If you don’t completely chop off the base, collard greens will grow back. However, collard greens will bolt in the summer, meaning they will yield blossoms instead of leaves.
Which month is ideal for growing collard greens?
The ideal month to cultivate collard greens is contingent upon local temperature conditions. Growing collard greens in the spring, one month before the last frost, or in the autumn, two months before the first frost, is advised.
How much time does it take for collard greens to grow?
Even though it could take 75 days for collard greens to fully mature, you can start harvesting and eating the leaves at any stage of growth, from tiny greens to large leaves. You can decide how long to grow your collard greens before harvesting them.