Find out how to grow collard greens, a classic Southern vegetable that thrives in cool weather.
Heres everything you gotta know to successfully grow collard greens.
Collard greens can be planted directly in the ground, inraised beds, or in containers.
Credit:Denny Schrock
In warmer climates, collards are best planted in the fall, so they grow in cooler weather.
Whenstarting seeds indoors, sow two seeds per cell or soil block about 14 inch deep.
Space rows at least 15 inches apart.
After they germinate, thin the seedlings to one per hole.
Collard Greens Care Tips
Collard greens are easy to grow when they receive the care they need.
Light
Collard greens grow best infull sun.
They need to receive six hours of sunlight daily.
Soil and Water
Collards do best inwell-draining, nutrient-rich soil.
Collards do best when the soil is moist but never soggy.
After watering, insert your finger about 6 inches deep into the soil to check for moisture.
This ensures the soil has sufficient water.
Water deeply and less frequently to encourage roots to grow more deeply.
Typically, they need around 1 inch of water a week.
Temperature and Humidity
Collard greens are acool-weather cropthat doesnt fare well when the temperature increases.
When the weather gets too warm, collards tend to bolt (flower and go to seed).
Collards can handle some frost, and the leaves taste slightly sweeter when exposed to colder temperatures.
When sufficientorganic matter is in the soil, fertilizer is typically unnecessary.
Soil tests are available through your nearest extension.
For example, if you want to grow three collard greens, use a 36-inch container.
Before planting, confirm the pot has ample drainage holes so extra water can flow out.
Pay attention to your plants and watch for cabbage worms, cabbage maggots, flea beetles,and slugs.
Alternaria, black rot, and clubroot are common diseases that affect collard greens.
Alternaria has leaf spots, while black rot is detected by the yellow triangles on the leaves.
One way to minimize diseases is to rotate your crops each year.
You should also pull out your crops in the off-season.
Sow seeds approximately 14 to 12 inch deep and keep the soil moist.
When the seedlings have true leaves, they are ready to transplant.
Snip the leaves with pruners or scissors starting at the bottom of the stalk.
Let the smaller leaves grow before harvesting.
you might continue harvesting even when theres frost; the leaves often have a sweeter flavor in cold weather.
it’s possible for you to harvest baby or smaller leaves earlier and often reap multiple harvests.
Ensure you provide ample space, as it willreach 15-20 inches tall at maturity.
Champion
Brassica oleraceaChampionis bolt-resistant with darker-hued, bluish-green leaves.
It grows quickly, and its leaves dont tend to turn yellow.
Green Glaze
Brassica oleraceaGreen Glaze is ready to harvest in around 79 days.
This variety has dark green-hued, glossy leaves.
The leaves are resistant to cabbage worms and loopers.
Collard Greens Companion Plants
Collards grow well with many other veggies, flowers, and herbs.
Here are a few to try.
Mint
Mintcan deter ants, aphids,flea beetles, and white cabbage moths.
Rosemary
Collards androsemarygrow well together because this herb helps repel unwanted insects, including cabbage moths.
Rosemary and collards can be grown in containers or directly in the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you arent planning to use the collard greens immediately, dont wash them.
Instead, wrap them in damp paper towels and place them in a sealed plastic bag.
They should last for three or four days in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.
You cant get more simple than quick-cooking them in olive oil.
Cut the large central ribs out of the collard greens and slice the remaining greens thinly.
Heat the oil and toss in the greens, stirring every 30 seconds.
When they start to brown, add the garlic and salt.
Garnish the completed collards with a wedge of lemon.
