April gardening · August gardening · Fall gardening · June gardening · March gardening · May gardening · October gardening · September gardening · Spring gardening ·

Collard Greens Growing Guide🥬: Planting and Harvesting for Healthy, Consistent Growth

Collard Greens Growing Guide🥬: Planting and Harvesting for Healthy, Consistent Growth

Introduction

Collard greens are a staple leafy green in many kitchens, known for their mild, earthy flavor and year-round versatility. Perfect for SIPs (sub-irrigated planters) and wicking beds, collards thrive when provided steady bottom-up watering. Using GardenWells inserts ensures consistent hydration while reducing the guesswork — helping you grow lush, productive plants with minimal effort.

When to Plant Collard Greens

  • Spring: Start seeds indoors in March–April or direct-seed outdoors once soil temperatures reach 10°C (50°F). Check the March Gardening Guide for early planting strategies.

  • Summer: Plant heat-tolerant varieties in June for mid-season crops; visit the June Gardening Guide for SIP watering strategies in warmer weather.

  • Fall/Winter: In mild climates, sow collards in August for tender autumn greens; see the September Gardening Guide for extending your harvest into cooler months.

  • Frost Bonus: After light frosts, collard leaves often become sweeter and more tender — making them a true four-season crop in the right regions.

Square Foot Gardening Spacing

  • Spacing: 1 plant per sq ft

  • Depth: Sow seeds ½” deep or transplant seedlings at the same depth as their nursery pots

  • Companions: Best grown alongside onions, beets, and nasturtiums.

How to Plant Collard Greens

Direct Seeding (Preferred)

  • Plant 2–3 seeds per hole and thin to the strongest seedling once sprouted.

  • Maintain consistent SIP moisture during germination for strong seedling establishment.

Transplanting

  • Start indoors 4–6 weeks before your last frost for earlier harvests.

  • Harden seedlings for 5–7 days before moving them into SIPs or wicking beds.

Watering Your Collard Greens

Collard greens need steady hydration to produce tender, flavorful leaves:

  • Use the WaterStem to monitor reservoir levels: when the Hummingbird rises, your SIP is full; when it drops, refill.

  • Before establishment: Top-water lightly for the first 7–10 days until roots reach the SIP moisture zone.

  • After establishment: Refill reservoirs every 1–2 weeks, depending on season and plant size.

  • Mulch around the base to regulate SIP moisture levels and suppress weeds.

Harvesting Collard Greens

  • Baby Greens: Ready to harvest in 30–35 days.

  • Mature Leaves: Pick in 60–75 days, depending on the variety.

  • For extended harvests, use a cut-and-come-again method: remove lower leaves first, allowing the plant to continue producing from the center for months.

Common Issues & Fixes

Issue Likely Cause Solution
Yellow Leaves Overwatering or nutrient deficiency Balance SIP hydration and add compost or organic fertilizer
Cabbage Worms Common brassica pest Use floating row covers or interplant nasturtiums
Bolting Heat stress Choose bolt-resistant varieties and succession-sow for longer yields

Companion Plants for Collard Greens

Best companions (with cross-links):

  • Onions → Natural pest deterrent, keeping brassica pests at bay.

  • Beets → Shallow-rooted, complementary spacing in SIPs.

  • Nasturtiums → Attract beneficial insects and distract aphids from collards.

  • Spinach → Shares similar watering needs and thrives in shaded SIP microclimates.

  • Carrots → Efficient interplanting in raised beds and SIPs.

Avoid planting with:

  • Other brassicas like kale, broccoli, and cabbage → Shared pests make spacing these crops separately ideal.

Product Tips

Back to Veggie Guides