How to Grow Collard Greens: Planting, Growing & Harvesting Tips

Top-down view of a collard green plant in the garden
Botanical Name
Brassica oleacea
Plant Type
Vegetables
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Partial Sun
Written By: Andy Wilcox Master Gardener and Gardening Contributor
Almanac Guide to Herbs

Big, bold, and bursting with flavor, collard greens are the leafy giants of the veggie world! Whether you’re simmering up a Southern classic or adding a nutritious green to your garden lineup, collards are a tough, tasty crop that thrives in cool weather. Let’s dig into how to grow your own lush bed of collards—your taste buds (and your body) will thank you!

About Collards

Collards are one of the oldest members of the cabbage or Brassicaceae family, and they look prehistoric! Their species name is Brassica oleracea, the same as kale, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli. Unlike some of their family, collards don’t form a head. Large leafy green foliage is the goal, and collard greens are a favorite in the American South, Africa, and South America. 

Collards are biennials in moderate climates and will return in spring to make a flower stalk and seed. However, they are usually grown as annuals in the garden. They are mildly cold-hardy, and some varieties can survive freezing temperatures as low as 15°F!

A dark green leaf, you won’t be surprised to learn that collard greens are packed with nutrients. They’re an excellent source of Vitamin A and C and are rich in iron, magnesium, calcium,  and potassium. They’re full of antioxidants and contain fiber to aid digestion and lower cholesterol.

You can eat collard leaves raw when they are young and tender. But you’ll need to cook the larger, tougher, more mature leaves—stew, braise, stir-fry, or even make them into kale chips. Southern-style collards are commonly prepared by simmering with spices and smoked meat for a delicious, flavorful meal. 
collard greens in the garden

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Planting

Where to Plant Collards

Collards do best in fertile, well-draining soil. A pH of 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal. They are large plants and benefit from a healthy dose of compost worked into the soil before planting. Select a spot with partial to full sun, at least 4 to 5 hours daily. Leave enough space in your garden—these plants can get quite large.

When to Plant Collard Greens

In warm climates, collards do best when planted in the fall, as this allows them to mature during cooler weather. (They will bolt in the heat of summer!) Plus, collard greens taste even better when “kissed” by frost and will grow through snow. In cooler climates, collards can also be planted in early spring for a late spring or early summer crop. 

  • Spring Crop:
    • Indoors, start the seeds about 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost.
    • Transplant seedlings or nursery starts into the ground 3 to 4 weeks before frost.
    • We do not recommend direct seeding for a spring crop.
       
  • Fall Crop:
    • Outdoors, direct seeds or plant transplants about 6 to 8 weeks before your first expected fall frost date.
    • Or, start seeds indoors about 3 months before the average fall frost date.

Gardeners in warm climates with little or no frost can transplant collards outdoors in the fall until spring.

How to Plant Collards

Collards may be started indoors and transplanted or direct-seeded in the garden. Starting collards indoors is the method for spring planting, as the seeds will germinate slowly in cold soil. Direct seed in the summer for the fall harvest.

To Start Collards Indoors

  • Sow 2 seeds per cell in standard trays or use soil blocks.
  • Sow seeds about ¼ inch deep.
  • After germination, thin to one seedling per cell.
  • Snip the extras, don’t pull them, or you might damage the roots of the remaining plants.
  • Seeds germinate better at slightly warmer temperatures, about 75°F, but a cool windowsill is fine once sprouted. Once a set of true leaves has been established, they can be transplanted outside.

To Direct-Seed 

  • Sow seeds ½ inch deep in groups of 3 to 4.
  • Space groups about 15 inches apart, in rows 2 feet apart.
  • Thin to one seedling per group once they have sprouted. 

Growing

Collards are easy to grow and make a lush display in your garden. Follow these tips for large, healthy plants. Check this page from the University of Minnesota Extension for more great tips on growing collard greens.

  • Collards like fertile, nitrogen-rich soil to support all that green, leafy vegetation. Provide adequate compost and organic matter.
  • Keep soil moisture even, and don’t let them dry out. Collards will wilt if exposed to warm temperatures and dry soil.
  • Mulch between plants when they are young. Eventually, the collards will close the canopy and shade out the weeds. However, mulch helps to reduce weeding and maintain an even soil moisture when the plants are young.
  • Water in the morning. The plants will have water available during the hottest part of the day, and their leaves will dry out before cooler night temperatures, reducing foliar disease problems.
  • Water deeply. Frequent short waterings can encourage shallow roots. Check the soil moisture with your finger about 6 inches down after irrigating. It should be moist but not soggy. 
    fresh collard greens

Harvesting

Collards will produce new leaves well beyond the first fall frosts! These leafy greens provide months of harvesting opportunities, especially with succession planting. Even after they have frozen, you can harvest and cook the leaves straight from the garden.

  • All green parts are edible. The leaves are most tender at 6 to 8 inches long. Use scissors, pruners, or a knife. Start with the larger lower leaves and work up the stalk, leaving the smaller leaves alone to continue growing.  
  • Plants that are thinned can be eaten! Don’t toss them into the compost. Take them into the kitchen.
  • A light frost will enhance the flavor of collards. Keep harvesting until the hard freezes of winter finally kill the plant. 

collard greens harvested in a white and blue bowl

Pests and Problems

Types

Both heirloom and hybrid varieties are available. If you plant in spring (versus fall), be sure to choose a bolt-resistant variety. 

  • ‘Champion’ is a bolt-resistant variety with good cold resistance and blue-green foliage.
  • ‘Morris Heading’ provides large, broad leaves and may make loosely arranged heads.
  • ‘Top Bunch 2.0’ is a hybrid with medium-sized, lightly savoyed leaves. Attractive and tasty.
  • ‘Georgia’, also known as ‘Georgia Southern’, is a favorite with smooth leaves and white stalks. It can reach up to 6 feet tall, so give it some elbow room and enjoy the show. 

Wit and Wisdom

Vegetables
About The Author
Andy Wilcox

Andy Wilcox

Master Gardener and Gardening Contributor

Andy Wilcox is a freelance writer, flower farmer, and master gardener with over 25 years of experience in gardening, horticulture, and forestry. He is the co-owner of Stone’s Throw Flowers, a business...
Read More from Andy Wilcox

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Comments

<span>Scott D</span> Wed, 07/17/2024 - 09:24
We have 2 Collard green "trees" type. Do not know what the species is but so far one is approx 5 feet tall. One thing we have noticed is that the "codling moth(?)" loves to lay its eggs on the leaves. Love this added to stir frys along with what our friend Steve List ( Ask Mr. List on Youtube ) calls summer lettuce which is Swiss chard.
<span>Sharon L Arthur</span> Sun, 11/19/2023 - 12:38
What are the planting dates for any greens in November
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 11/21/2023 - 09:57

Hi Sharon,

Many greens are cool season crops, meaning they do best when grown in the fall or early spring. With that being said, planting dates depend on where you live and what type of winter your location experiences.

Our Planting Calendar is a great tool to use. Just put in your zip code or location and it will give you the ideal dates for planting all kinds of vegetables and greens. Here is a link: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar

You can also grow greens indoors. We have a great story that can be found here: https://www.almanac.com/grow-your-own-salads-indoors-all-winter

And according to our Best Days chart, which gives the best days for certain activities based on the Moon's sign, the best days for planting aboveground crops in November 2023 is Nov. 20–22.