How to Grow Collard Greens

Collards need a deep soil that is well drained and well prepared. The roots of a collard plant easily reach depths of 2 feet of more. Dig the soil as deep as possible or at least 10 inches. This will loosen the soil so the small feeder roots can grow more easily.

What month do you plant collard greens?
How long does it take to grow collard greens?
Do collard greens come back every year?
What is the best time to plant collard greens?
What can you not plant near collard greens?
What is the best fertilizer for collard greens?
How do I keep bugs from eating my collard greens?
Can you eat collard greens after they flower?
Can I grow collards in the summer?
How do you know when collards are ready to pick?
How do you grow collards in the winter?
Can you plant collards with tomatoes?

What month do you plant collard greens?

Plant collard greens in spring 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost. These plants will grow well in raised beds, containers, and in-ground gardens. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart in an area with full sun and fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 6.8.

How long does it take to grow collard greens?

Collards need about 80 days to mature from seed to harvest, but this can vary by variety, so check the back of your seed packet or plant pick. Depending on where you live, you might be able to do a spring planting of collards, though these greens won't have the benefit of a sweetening frost.

Do collard greens come back every year?

Common vegetables like kale, collards, chard, leaf lettuce, Chinese cabbage and spinach grow as rosettes. Some that are not as common include mustard greens, cress, mizuna, endive, chervil, arugula and tatsoi. ... All these vegetables are annuals so this is going to be a one season event.

What is the best time to plant collard greens?

When and Where to Plant

The collard is a cool-season crop that should be grown during early spring or fall. Direct seed midsummer or early spring. Set transplants out in early spring or late summer. The mature plant will withstand frosts and light to medium freezes.

What can you not plant near collard greens?

Collard greens are in the same plant family as cabbage, broccoli, kale, and cauliflower, so they should not be planted together. If planted in large quantities together, they will use the same nutrients in the soil, resulting in generally less nutrients that the plants need.

What is the best fertilizer for collard greens?

Use a high-nitrogen fertilizer, such as nitrate of soda (15-0-0) or calcium nitrate (16-0-0), or a garden fertilizer with high concentrations of nitrogen and less phosphorus, such as 27-3-3, 24-0-15 or similar formulation.

How do I keep bugs from eating my collard greens?

Combine five parts water, two parts isopropyl alcohol and 1 teaspoon of dish liquid in a spray bottle. Spray the collard greens thoroughly, contacting all parts of the leaves once a week, to control flea beetles.

Can you eat collard greens after they flower?

Cut them at the base of the stem, cut off the leaves, and put the stems in water. You can even add the little yellow blooms from your spent collards, broccoli, mustard, and kale to salads! They taste deliciously peppery.

Can I grow collards in the summer?

Collard greens are a cool season vegetable and are often planted in late summer to early autumn for winter harvest in the south. In more northern areas, collards may be planted a little earlier for fall or winter harvest. ... A member of the cabbage family, collard greens growing in the heat may bolt.

How do you know when collards are ready to pick?

Collard leaves are ready for harvest as soon as they reach usable size. They will be most tasty when picked young–less than 10 inches long and dark green. Older leaves will be tough and stringy. Collard greens are ready for harvest 75 to 85 days from transplants, 85 to 95 days from seed.

How do you grow collards in the winter?

For best results, you'll need to know your first average frost date. You can direct seed out in the garden in late summer or early fall, depending on your location. Your goal is to sow seeds in time so that your crop is ready to harvest after one or two light frosts but before the first killer freeze.

Can you plant collards with tomatoes?

The best companion for tomatoes is collard greens. Plant four collards closely spaced around the base of each tomato, and continue this pattern down the row. The leaves of the collards will grow together and form a dense canopy over the soil. ... Dill, basil, and cilantro are also excellent companions for tomatoes.