skip to main content

Growing from Seed Vegetable Gardening garden

Growing Collard Greens Advice

4 years ago

Hello, I got a pack of collard green seeds from Walmart just to see if I could grow them. I put them in a ziploc bag wrapped in a paper towl and misted it. Three days later I checked on them and they had sprouted. There’s about 50 of them sprouted in the bag and now I don’t know how to plant them or how to go about it. I just got the seeds to see if I was able to grow them and apparently I can? Yet I don’t know the least bit about growing vegetables since all of my plants are only foliage Plants. Any advice on how to plant such a huge amount of the sprouted collard greens? Also how do you grow them are they best in shade or in bright light? They are about one inch long and have little leaves already. Any advice is welcome and thanked. :)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

annie1992
4 years ago
I grow collards every year here in Michigan and they get BIG, so you could grow a few in containers, but I put them right into the garden as seeds and don't "start" them first at all. My garden gets full sun all day, there is no shade, so that's where they get planted.

So, if you have a garden, I'd make a row and plant your little seedlings in there. If you are going to grow them in containers, I'd do the same thing, just plant the little seedlings. Collards are sturdy but mine were nearly 3 feet tall last year and as wide as they were tall, so be prepared to give them some room to stretch out.

You may have a different variety, I grew "Vates" last year and they were monsters, although descriptions say that they are "compact". There may be smaller varieties.

I don't know where you live, but here in Michigan I'm putting seeds in the ground this week, holding off for another week or so for plants.

Annie
k
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you so much!! I have containers so I’ll be sure to plant them as soon as I can. I live in Florida we get plenty of sun so that’ll be okay for me. Also, would you happen to know the water requirements? Do they like moist soil always or??
Related Discussions
Kale and Collards growing again
Q
Comments (8)
I have posted about it before, but I am totally amazed at the plants I left in the ground last fall. I tried for a fall garden, but couldn't succession-plant behind my summer veggies soon enough, so the fall stuff didn't produce much before winter came on. It got down below zero in early December, and basically all of the unprotected veggies except the Brussel's sprouts and kale "burned down" to the ground, and I wrote them off. The sprouting broccoli and tiny spinach and lettuce seedlings I had in containers in the greenhouse just sat there all winter. We're having an early spring, and I should be able to pick myself a lettuce and spinach salad this weekend. I'm also very close to having a batch of Brussels sprouts and some broccoli. The thing I find most amazing is that the arugula stayed green through most of the winter, and began growing earlier than anything else in the garden. Most of the purple kohlrabi did die, but a couple seem to be coming back. The leeks and green onions have also made a comeback, and my carrots have resumed growth, as well as the mustard greens. The kale has been fairly constant, and the radishes have even sprung back to life. I am interested to find out if there is any quality/taste in these veggies after their harsh winter, but overall, I am astounded that everything survived so well. We usually don't get below 10F all winter, so I'm thinking with some plastic hoop houses, everything will do even better.
...See More
Collard Green Question
Q
Comments (1)
Harvest just the leaves, starting with the lower, older leaves. Leave the plant in the ground to extend the harvest time. Search for a thread I began a couple of weeks ago "Vegetable Highlight: Collards" to get some collard recipes and comments that others have added. Christine
...See More
tell me about collard/mustard greens & pak choy
Q
Comments (3)
They're all delicious, and healthy - and they love to mature in cool weather. Best time to plant is fall or very early spring. Yes, you can add them young to salads, but most people like them cooked. The traditional southern method (collards, mustards, turnip greens, etc..) is to braise them with a little onion and some kind of pork product like bacon or ham. I also like to add a little veggie stock or chicken stock to the braising liquid, although a lot of people just really on the bacon or ham hocks to flavor the water. They're all delicious, and very good for you. Enjoy!
...See More
Newbie gardener-did I mess up my collard greens?
Q
Comments (2)
They will sulk during the hot months. They will also not not be very good eating. Collards are best after frost. In Indiana your summers should be cool enough for them to grow ok ( After all they are just a leaf cabbage). They should not bolt until next spring.
...See More
laceyvail 6A, WV
4 years ago
I grow collards for a fall crop. I sow them directly in the garden in mid July, and cover immediately with row covers to protect them from flea beetles and the butterfly that lays the eggs that become the cabbage worm. Easy crop to grow and my favorite green.
k thanked laceyvail 6A, WV
annie1992
4 years ago
k, mine aren't particularly picky, they only got watered when the rest of the garden did, so they didn't appear to have any water requirements that were more than anything else. I planted them right next to zucchini and cucumbers on one side and beets on the other and treated them all the same.

As laceyvail mentioned, they're easy to grow. They don't seem to be particularly picky about anything here, although the groundhogs loved them when they were small but ignored them after they matured.

Annie
k thanked annie1992
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
4 years ago
You won't be able to grow collards in Florida in the hot spring and summer. The recommended planting window is well into fall through March for winter /spring harvest.

Collards are what is called a "cool season crop". In warm climates, they simply won't develop properly in a summer growing season.

If you are truly interested in growing a few veggies, visit your University of Florida Extension web site to learn about how to have success in your own backyard garden.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES On the Up and Up: Expert Advice for Growing a Green Wall

By Rebecca Gross

Houzz pros share solutions for 7 common challenges you can face with a vertical garden

COOL-SEASON CROPS Cool-Season Vegetables: How to Grow Collards

By Marianne Lipanovich

Look out, spinach. For fall and spring gardens with a little heat, collard greens may be the better choice

0

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Grow a Lush Privacy Screen

By Christine Tusher

No need to wait forever for patio privacy the green way. These 10 ideas will get your screening up and running in no time

GREEN Color Guide: How to Work With Green

By Samantha Schoech

With as many green hues as leaves in a forest, it's easy to find one that grows on you

EARTH DAY Grow a Beautiful Garden With Ecofriendly Greywater

By Greywater Corps

Reducing home water waste means lower bills and a healthier planet. Here's how to set up a greywater home irrigation system that can help

EDIBLE GARDENS 10 Edible Greens to Plant Now

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Get your cool-season garden started and look forward to harvesting lettuces, kale, arugula, chard and more

DIY PROJECTS Reinvent It: Grow a Mini Vertical Garden in Printing Press Drawers

By Becky Harris

Make a living wall composition from vintage finds and greenery, for an artful indoor garden

MOST POPULAR Easy Green: 23 Ways to Reduce Waste at Home

By Laura Gaskill

Pick from this plethora of earth-friendly ideas to send less to the landfill and keep more money in your pocket

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crops: How to Grow Tomatoes

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant tomato seedlings in spring for one of the best tastes of summer, fresh from your backyard

EARTH DAY How to Grow a Modern Pollinator Garden

By Aislin Gibson

You can have a minimalist design and bees too by massing thoughtfully chosen pollen- and nectar-rich flowers

Sponsored

More Discussions

Got my seed sowing schedule done today

18

Started vinca and impatiens seeds!

10

What are these?

9

Need help growing Paulownia Tomentosa from seed.

20

How long to keep heating mat on zinnas?

10