Cool-Season Vegetables: How to Grow Collards

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

Marianne Lipanovich January 1, 2000

Houzz Contributor. I'm a California-based writer and editor. While most of my projects are garden-based, you might also find me writing about home projects and classical music. Away from the computer, I'm found in the garden (naturally), on my bike, or ice-skating outdoors (yes, that is possible in California). I'm also willing to taste-test anything that's chocolate.

Houzz Contributor. I'm a California-based writer and editor. While most of my projects... More

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Collards, or collard greens, are a staple of Southern cooking known for the sweetness they develop after the first light frosts, making them ideal for a fall and winter garden. What most people don’t realize is that collards can also handle heat, not bolting like spinach does, so you can plant this green for an early summer harvest as well.

Collard greens don’t form cabbage-like heads. Instead, the loose leaves form a circle, or rosette, much like kale does. They taste a bit like kale as well, although there are hints of cabbage in there also. They can be braised on their own, boiled with salt pork or ham and black-eyed or split peas, added to soups, or cooked like spinach or cabbage.

More: How to grow cool-season vegetables

When to plant: In cold-winter climates, set out plants in spring or late summer, or sow seeds in late summer (it grows best in autumn). In mild-winter climates, either sow seeds or set out plants in spring and again in late summer for a fall and winter crop.

Days to maturity: 50 to 85

Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade

Water requirement: Regular to light

Favorites: Champion, Georgia Southern Flash, Vates

Planting and care: Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 to 2 inches apart; set plants 1 to 2 feet apart. Thin seedlings to that same distance (use the thinnings in a stir-fry). The soil should be fertile and well drained. Do not plant where you’ve planted other cabbage family members in the past two years.

Keep the soil weed free. Water less than you would for other cabbage family members to prevent the plant from growing too tall. Keep your watering schedule consistent, though, to sweeten the greens.

Collards are far less prone to problems than other cabbage family members, but keep an eye out for aphids, cabbage loopers, cabbage works and harlequin bugs. Damping off can be an issue.

Harvest: Cut off the lower leaves and leave the center of the plant after 40 to 50 days to lengthen the harvest. You can remove the entire plant at once as well.