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Collards are a Southern delight with a mild cabbage-like flavor. High in calcium, the leaves actually get a boost in taste after a light frost. Collards are a nutritional powerhouse that few others can match. Hardiness Zones: 5-11 (Find your hardiness zone.) When to Plant: Directly sow seeds in early spring for a summer harvest, under just a 1/2 inch of soil. Germination occurs in 6-12 days. Conditions: Avoid planting collards in the same spot each year, as with any other cabbage family crop. Collards prefer a rich, light soil that is slightly sandy with a pH of 5.5 to 6.8. Collards have deep roots (up to 2 feet long), so dig at least 10 inches into the soil when preparing the site for planting. Space Needed: Thin seedlings when they are 2 inches tall until plants are spaced 18 inches apart. Plant in rows that are 36 inches apart. Maintenance: Inspect your collards regularly for pests. Collards are especially susceptible to aphids and cabbageworms. Its water needs are moderate, so be sure to supplement when rainfall is scarce; if collards don't get enough water, they turn bitter. When to Harvest: When the plants are about 12 inches tall, you can begin harvesting the outer leaves. Some varieties are ready in as little as 60 days. Average Yield: Expect up to 20 pounds per packet of seeds during a growing season. Continuous Yield: Yes Life Cycle: Annual Difficulty Rating (1-5): 2  |
