Find out how to grow collard greens , a classic Southern veggie that boom in cool atmospheric condition .
Denny Schrock
Collard greens are a staple in the South , but these fearless , leafy plants are easy and fun to grow in any eatable garden . Collard commons or collards ( Brassica oleraceavar.viridis ) grow relatively quickly , usually within a couple of months of planting seeds . Plant these cock-a-hoop leafy greens after the last hoar in the spring or in the fallwell before the first hoar , look on your location . Here ’s everything you need to know to successfully grow collard greens .
Credit:Denny Schrock
Where to Plant Collard Greens
Collard William Green do best when grown in an area that receives full to partial sunlight . These leafy park are part of the Brassica mob , which also includesbroccoli , Brussels spud , cauliflower , and shekels . Collard greens can be planted now in the solid ground , inraised bed , or in containers .
It ’s best to turn out the placement of these crop each season to ensure there are sufficient nutrients in the soil and to belittle the spread of pests and disease .
How and When to Plant Collard Greens
Sow collard seeds indoors a monthbefore the last saltation frostor , if growing in the spill , seed the seeds straight in the land two or three monthsbefore the first gloaming hoarfrost . In warm climates , collards are best embed in the fall , so they grow in cooler conditions . When queer to warm or hot weather , they tend to bolt , peculiarly in the hotter months of the summertime .
Whenstarting seeds indoors , seed two seed per cell or soil engine block about ¼ inch deep . After they sprout , cut the seedling to one per cell or soil block so the collard seedlings are n’t competing for resources .
When sowing source directly in the basis , sow them ¼ to ½ column inch late with three to four seeds per hole space 24 inches apart . infinite quarrel at least 15 inches asunder . After they germinate , thin the seedlings to one per pickle .
Collard Greens Care Tips
Collard putting green are easy to grow when they receive the forethought they need .
Light
Collard super C produce effective infull sun . They need to receive six hours of sunlight day by day . If you last in a raging mood , growing them inpartial shadecan protect their parting from burning , a condition known as sunscald .
Soil and Water
collard do good inwell - draining , nutrient - productive soil . sum compost to the soil before planting to ensure batch of nutrients are available . add together a layer of mulchbetween the plant to retain wet in the grime and forbid gage .
collard do best when the soil is moist but never torpid . After watering , insert your digit about 6 inches deeply into the soil to arrest for wet . This ensure the soil has sufficient water . water system deeply and less frequently to promote roots to uprise more deep . Typically , they need around 1 column inch of water a week .
Temperature and Humidity
Collard greenness are acool - weather cropthat does n’t fare well when the temperature increases . When the weather gets too warm , collard incline to go off ( blossom and go to seeded player ) . Collards can handle some frost , and the leaves taste slightly sweetened when expose to colder temperature .
Fertilizer
Collard greens should be mature in soil with ample organic amendments , such as compost or manure . When sufficientorganic matter is in the soil , plant food is typically unneeded .
see doing a soil test before found to know which mineral and nutrients are in your soil and what you may need to add together via plant food or amendment . filth trial run are useable through your skinny lengthiness .
Potting and Repotting Collard Greens
Collard Green River are easy to originate in containers that are abstruse and broad . One collard immature plant can get in a 12 - inch diameter container , and if you plan to maturate multiple plants , double or triple the bay window width . For example , if you want to get three collard greens , habituate a 36 - inch container . Before planting , make certain the gage has plenteous drainage trap so extra water can flow out .
Pests and Problems
Collards are affected by pests and diseases that afflict other member of the Brassica kinsperson . bear attention to your plants and check for lolly insect , kale maggot , flea beetles , and slugs . If you spot any louse or insect , pick them off , spray them off with a unassailable jet of water , or employ insecticidalneem oil .
Alternaria , black rotting , and clubroot are common diseases that affect collard greens . Alternaria has leaf spots , while black buncombe is detected by the yellow triangles on the leaves . Typically , you should harvest what you may of a diseased industrial plant , pull it out , and toss it in the trash ; you do n’t want to spread disease in the compost .
One way to understate diseases is to spread out your crops each year . You should also overstretch out your crops in the off - season .
How to Propagate Collard Greens
you could propagate collard green by sowing source indoors or directly in the ground . Sow sow approximately ¼ to ½ in deeply and keep the soil moist . When the seedlings have unfeigned folio , they are quick to transpose .
If you ’re raise directly in the priming coat , sow in seeds in row with spacing around 18 inches aside to take into account industrial plant to have enough space to produce and not vie with each other .
Harvesting Collard Greens
foliage are warm when they attain around 6 - 8 inches long , which is a secure sentence to harvest . Snip the leave with pruners or scissors starting at the bottom of the stalk . Let the low leaves grow before harvesting . you could carry on harvesting even when there ’s frost ; the leaves often have a sweet savour in dusty weather .
Collard greens are usually quick for harvest between 60 to 80 days , depending on the variety and your mood . you could harvest ‘ child ’ or small leaves earlier and often draw multiple harvest home .
Types of Collard Greens
Different assortment of collard Green offer resistor to bolting , disease , Robert Lee Frost , and hotness , so it ’s important to seek out ones that are best suited for your growing weather .
‘Georgia Cabbage’
A heirloom variety , Brassica oleracea‘Georgia Cabbage ’ has yellowish - unripened leaves with a flavour profile that prompt some of boodle and a clue of nuts . It can tolerate temperature as low as 20 ° degree Fahrenheit . Ensure you provide ample space , as it willreach 15 - 20 inch tall at maturity .
‘Champion’
Brassica oleracea‘Champion’is bolt - immune with darker - hued , blue - green leaves . It grow promptly , and its leave do n’t be given to deform yellow .
‘Green Glaze’
Brassica oleracea‘Green Glaze ’ is quick to harvest in around 79 Day . This variety has dark green - hue , glossy parting . It ’s slow to bolt and is idealistic for anyone living in uttermost climates as it is both frost- and heat - resistant . The leaves are resistant to cabbage worms and looper .
Collard Greens Companion Plants
collard greens grow well with many other veg , flowers , and herbs . Here are a few to render .
Marigolds
Marigoldsare known to repel multiple type of pesterer , such as cabbage worms , slugs , thrip , and ashen flies . These pretty bloom also can act as trap crops because they entice insects to them , distracting them from bothering other plants .
Mint
Mintcan deter ants , aphids , flea mallet , and white cabbage moth . Grow mint in a contained area , such as a pot , because it can become uncontrollable and quickly take over your garden blank .
Rosemary
Collards androsemarygrow well together because this herbaceous plant help repel undesirable insect , including shekels moths . Rosemary and collards can be grown in containers or directly in the ground .
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are n’t planning to employ the collard greens directly , do n’t lave them . rather , enclose them in dampish newspaper towels and rank them in a sealed plastic bag . They should last for three or four days in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator .
You ca n’t get more bare than quick - cook them in olive oil . shorten the large central ribs out of the collard Green and slit the continue greens thinly . stir up the crude oil and toss in the greens , arouse every 30 seconds . When they protrude to brown , add the ail and Strategic Arms Limitation Talks . Garnish the completed collards with a Cuban sandwich of lemon .
