Growing Collard Greens: A Southern Staple - Epic Gardening

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People have been growing collard greens for centuries on every continent. They are a staple in the US South, and a tour of almost any kitchen garden in the region will likely include collard greens. They are just as delicious as their close relative kale, which has gained popularity in the US in recent years.

It is almost surprising how popular they are, considering they tend to attract a fair number of pests. The key to growing large, healthy leaves is planting them at the right time. While collards will grow well in summer, they are far less likely to attract pests in winter. As temperatures cool, the flavor of collards also becomes noticeably sweeter, making them an excellent addition to winter soups and stews.

Collard greens also make up for their pest appeal by being very easy to grow from seed. With healthy, nutrient-rich soil and proper fertilization, growing collards is straightforward. They pair well with many other food crops and fit easily into mixed garden beds. Older plants can even be used as trap crops toward the end of their life cycle, just before they go to seed.

If you are thinking about growing collard greens yourself, it helps to understand the basics. Let’s take a closer look at the essentials for growing collard greens and how you can cultivate a productive crop that can last for multiple seasons.

Georgia Southern Collards

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Top Bunch 2.0 Collards

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Superfoods Baby Greens

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Quick Care Guide

Scientific Name Brassica oleracea var. viridis Days to Harvest 4 weeks to harvest Light Partial shade to full sun Water 1 to 1.5 inches weekly

Soil Fertile, loose, well-drained soil, neutral pH of 6.5-7.0 Fertilizer Full-spectrum foliar applied weekly; slow-release upon planting; high nitrogen Pests cabbage looper, aphids, cutworms, flea beetle, thrips, root-knot nematode Diseases Alternaria/cercospora/white leaf spots, clubroot, damping-off

All About Collard Greens

Collard greens, or Brassica oleracea var. viridis, originated in Greece, where they have been grown for over 2000 years. They are members of the cabbage family but do not produce a head like cabbages do. Collard greens are also popular in Spain, Portugal, and India. It is no surprise that they became a staple across Africa as well, given the region’s proximity to Greece.

Many well-known dishes from the US South trace their roots back to African meals brought over by enslaved people during the Atlantic slave trade. Much credit is owed to Africans and African Americans who preserved and cultivated collard greens in the South. Because of their knowledge and care, we continue to enjoy these nutrient-dense, vitamin- and mineral-rich greens in many different varieties.

Characteristics

Collards grow much like their leafy green counterparts. Light green to dark green leaves grow in a rosette formation around a central stalk. Stalk color ranges from light green to dark purple, depending on the variety. Leaf size ranges from six inches to over one foot.

Larger varieties are prized for their versatility in cooking and are often eaten mixed with other leafy greens or lightly steamed and used as wraps. Some varieties grow up to 36 inches tall. All parts of the plant are edible, although the stalks, roots, and ribs can be tough if they are not cooked thoroughly.

Collard green seeds are tiny, dark, and round. They sprout into a pair of heart-shaped cotyledons, with small immature collard leaves emerging between them. Leaves grow around the central stalk, and if left long enough, the plant will produce small broccoli-like heads that develop into the characteristic four-petaled yellow flowers of brassicas. After the flowers fade, seed pods form and eventually burst open, reseeding the area where the collards are growing.

One standout collard variety is ‘Old Timey Blue’, also known as ‘Alabama Blue’. This southern collard has been grown on the Blackwell farm in Alabama for at least one hundred years. The leaves are green, while the stalks are purple. At maturity, the leaves can reach up to two feet in length, making them ideal for collard green wraps. Exploring different varieties online can help you find the best option for your growing conditions.

Planting

You can plant collard greens by seed or seedling in early spring or late summer. Grow collard greens during temperate conditions so they can withstand the heat of summer or the cold of winter. Cool weather suits collards well, and their flavor improves after exposure to a light winter frost.

If planting collards directly in the garden, make sure the soil is fertile, well-draining, and rich in organic matter. Space plants at least 18 inches apart and choose a sunny location. If you have experience growing kale or cabbage, that knowledge transfers easily to collard greens.

Collards grow well in grow bags, containers, and raised beds. They are a hardy member of the cabbage family and will thrive in most regions with proper care. They can be grown successfully from seed or transplanted as seedlings.

To plant collard green seeds, prepare rows spaced about 30 inches apart. This spacing helps improve airflow and reduces the risk of wilts and mildew. Sow seeds one eighth to one quarter inch deep in loose soil in early spring after the risk of the last frost has passed, or in late summer about six weeks before the first frost. Plant one to two seeds every six to eight inches.

Once true leaves develop, thin seedlings to about 18 inches apart. Thinned seedlings can be transplanted elsewhere in the garden or into containers. The same approach works for grow bags, and seeds can also be started indoors.

To transplant collard starts, plant them in spring or late summer into loose soil in the ground or in containers. Gently remove the plant from its pot, loosen any circling roots, and space transplants 18 to 24 inches apart in raised rows, containers, or grow bags. Soil pH should be close to neutral, ideally between 6.5 and 7.0. Collards can also be grown indoors in a sunny window, although they perform best outdoors in direct sunlight.

How to Grow

Although collards are relatively easygoing plants, they do need regular attention, especially in late spring when insects and other pests emerge from winter dormancy. Check your garden daily during warmer seasons for signs that plants need extra care. Keeping these basics in mind will help you grow healthy collard greens through summer, fall, and winter.

Light

Collard greens prefer full sun to partial shade with at least five hours of direct sunlight per day. If spring temperatures are especially warm, use shade cloth to protect young collard plants from intense sun. If fall weather turns unusually cold, a frost cloth can help shield plants from damage.

Water

Collards need plenty of water to thrive. Mine are doing well during an unusually cool, wet season here in Texas. Because it rained almost every day in May, I did not need to water my collard greens at all during that month. However, once summer heat reaches triple digits, more vigilance is required, with watering at least twice a day to prevent browning and burning of the dark green leaves.

In general, collard greens prefer about one to one and a half inches of water per week. It is best to water at the base of the plant to help prevent powdery mildew or damping-off on tender leaves. If watering by hand during cooler seasons, water deeply once in the morning. In the heat of summer, water early in the morning and again as the sun sets.

Drip irrigation is the most effective method for growing collard greens. It delivers water directly to the root zone and keeps the foliage dry, reducing disease risk. Sprinklers or misters are not ideal for collards, as leaves are more susceptible to disease when they remain wet for extended periods.

Soil

Collard greens prefer well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Soil pH should remain close to neutral, ideally between 6.5 and 7.0. Because collard greens are grown for their leaves, they require adequate nitrogen to thrive. Poor soils are not suitable for these greens.

Planting collard seeds or transplants in well-prepared soil with good drainage is essential, as proper drainage helps prevent the fungal and bacterial diseases that collard leaves are prone to.

Temperature

You’ll find collard greens growing in USDA hardiness zones 6 through 10. They are biennial plants in zones 7 through 10 and can reseed to return each season. Cutting the stalk down in summer and leaving the root in place often results in new growth emerging again in fall.

Collards grow best during cool seasons, either in early spring or late summer, when temperatures range between 55°F (13°C) and 75°F (24°C). Although they are hardy, collard greens are sensitive to both freezing conditions and extreme heat and need to be well established to tolerate these stresses.

Young collard plants can scorch in high heat and are easily stunted by frost. Mature plants are more resilient and can tolerate temperatures as low as 20°F (-7°C) and as high as 95°F (35°C).

Fertilizing

Where you plant collards influences how much fertilizing they require. I fertilize my plants with a full-spectrum, basic foliar feed once a week to keep the leaves healthy and vigorous.

I also apply a monthly soil soak using the same fertilizer, which includes compost tea, sea kelp, molasses, and apple cider vinegar. If rainfall has been heavy, I delay foliar feeding to reduce the risk of leaf spots and mildew.

Because nitrogen is essential for strong leaf production, a high-nitrogen fertilizer or one with lower phosphorus works especially well for collards. Slow-release fertilizers, foliar applications, and soil soaks are all effective options. Apply high-nitrogen fertilizer at the base of young plants to support early growth. If you remove a plant but leave the root in place, spread compost over the area to replenish nutrients in the soil.

Pruning

One of the few times pruning is necessary is when a plant bolts prematurely. Remove bolts before they flower to keep nutrients directed toward leaf production rather than flower formation. Use clean pruning snips to cut the bolt about one inch above the first leaf growth point.

Inspect plants regularly and remove any damaged leaves showing signs of wilt, mildew, or leaf spot as they appear throughout the plant’s life cycle. Some gardeners recommend staking collards, though this depends on the variety. If plants grow tall, placing a stake alongside them can help support your fall crop.

Propagation

If you are growing tree collards, you can take cuttings to propagate them. Most collard varieties, however, are propagated only by seed. This year, I let one collard plant grow beyond harvest time and allowed it to flower. After the flowers faded, seed pods formed and filled out. I snipped off the pods and placed them in a paper bag, where they naturally popped open. I then separated the seeds from the remaining pod material.

This method is an effective way to save collard seeds. Once you have harvested collards and collected the seeds, you can plant collard green seeds again for another successful harvest.

Harvesting

Once leaves reach six to eight inches in length, they are ready for harvest. Like other members of the cabbage family, leaves can be snapped from the stems starting at the base of the plant. You can also use hand pruners to snip off leaves as needed. Harvesting can be done throughout the plant’s entire life cycle and in most seasons.

It is also possible to harvest the entire plant at once. To do this, cut the plant at soil level and cover the remaining root with compost.

Storing

Collards can be canned, blanched and frozen, or stored fresh in the refrigerator.

Canned collards will last at least one year when properly sealed. These greens must be pressure-canned, as they are low-acid foods, and water bath canning is not safe for most leafy greens. Once opened, canned collards should be consumed within five days.

Blanched and frozen collards can also last up to one year in the freezer and work well in dishes like soups or even morning smoothies. Fresh collard greens typically keep for one to two weeks when stored between damp paper towels in the refrigerator.

It is often best to harvest only what you need and use it immediately. If you are growing multiple collard plants, canning or freezing is a practical way to preserve the harvest before the plant’s life cycle comes to an end.

Troubleshooting

Grow collard greens with the right level of care and attention, and pest and disease issues are usually minimal. However, several problems can still arise when plants are grown under improper conditions.

Growing Problems

Since collards will bolt when it is too warm and experience stunted growth in overly cold conditions, use frost cloth or shade cloth as needed to protect plants.

Collards that do not receive enough light tend to grow long, spindly leaves that lack the flavor of plants grown under proper conditions.

Without sufficient nitrogen, collard green leaves grow more slowly and may begin to yellow. If nitrogen deficiency persists, leaf collapse can occur.

Pests

These tender greens are a favorite target for pests during spring and summer. In some regions, it can be more effective to grow collard greens for food in fall and then allow them to act as a trap crop in spring. Check plants regularly for signs of pest activity, and you can keep collards healthy and productive throughout the year.

Aphids and thrips are two common insect pests that feed on collard leaves. Aphids cluster in colonies, usually on the undersides of leaves, where they feed and create small holes. Thrips are similarly small but long and slender, and they distort leaf structure as they feed, causing curling or misshapen growth. In mild infestations, a strong stream of water can dislodge both pests. For more severe problems, neem oil or insecticidal soap can help prevent further spread.

Caterpillars are also frequent visitors to collard plants. Cabbage loopers and cutworms feed aggressively on the leaves, leaving large holes and visible droppings behind. If you notice damage, inspect the leaves for eggs or caterpillars and remove them by hand when possible. If handpicking is not enough, neem oil or BT can be used to limit further larval damage.

Flea beetles are another pest that enjoys collard leaves. These small, shiny black beetles jump from plant to plant and are most active during warm weather. They leave scattered holes across the foliage. Light infestations can be managed with soapy water traps. For heavier infestations, applying spinosad or pyrethrin as a foliar treatment once a week can help bring the problem under control.

Root-knot nematodes are only visible at the root level but can cause complete plant collapse if left unmanaged. These microscopic pests create galls on collard roots as they feed. If plants fail and the roots show small swellings, nematodes are often the cause. While commercial nematicides are available, applying beneficial nematodes is one of the most effective and environmentally friendly ways to manage root-knot nematodes.

Diseases

Most fungal and bacterial diseases affecting collard greens are caused by planting too closely, improper watering, poor planting practices, or unusually moist conditions.

In some seasons, it may be worth cutting the stem at the base of the plant if conditions have been excessively wet and downy mildew appears. Making the right decision at the right time can save the crop. Keep collards spaced at least 18 inches apart. If mildew is caught early and is not severe, remove any affected leaves and spray the remaining plant with a copper fungicide.

White leaf spot and cercospora leaf spot need to be controlled aggressively at the first signs of infection or they can devastate not only your collards but nearby vegetables as well. Alternaria leaf spot may also cause damping-off in collard starts in addition to leaf spotting. Vigilance is especially important during wet spring and fall seasons.

Some fungal leaf spot diseases can be managed with copper fungicide sprays, but others cannot be treated effectively. Severe infections may require removing the entire plant and sealing it in a plastic bag for disposal in the landfill. Do not compost diseased plant material.

Brassicas are also susceptible to clubroot caused by the pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae. Early symptoms can resemble nematode damage, but the root galls are much larger and eventually rot completely, leading to plant death.

The spores of this fungus-like soil pathogen can persist in soil for up to 20 years. Avoid planting brassicas in affected areas for five to seven years after clubroot is detected. Dispose of all infected root material without composting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do collard greens come back every year?

If you leave the root of a collard plant in your garden, they will return. They’re also vigorous seeders that happily return either once or twice a year depending on your USDA hardiness zone.

How long does it take collard greens to grow?

Collard greens take one to two months from seed to harvest.

Are collards easy to grow?

Collards are so easy to grow! The most important aspect of caring for collards once they’re established is pest control and watering. They need ample water, and many different pests like to eat their supple leaves.