Collard greens are a leafy member of the Brassica family, related to cabbage and kale, and are a celebrated cool-weather crop throughout the Southern United States, including Georgia. They are prized for their robust, earthy flavor and exceptional nutritional profile. As a highly cold-tolerant vegetable, collards are a mainstay in Georgia gardens, providing a continuous harvest when many other crops have finished their season. Successfully growing this staple green depends primarily on timing your planting to align with the state’s mild winters and avoiding the intense summer heat.
Optimal Planting Windows in Georgia
Collard greens thrive in cooler temperatures, making Georgia’s climate ideal for two distinct planting periods. The spring planting window begins in late winter, typically three to four weeks before the last expected frost date, using transplants for the quickest start. This allows plants to establish and mature before the high temperatures of late spring and early summer arrive. Temperatures consistently exceeding 80°F cause the plants to “bolt,” or send up a flower stalk, which develops a bitter taste in the leaves.
The fall and winter season is considered the superior planting time for collards across Georgia. Sow seeds directly in mid-to-late summer, around July to early August, ensuring they reach maturity before the first frost. A light frost, which collards easily withstand, actually triggers the plant to convert starches into sugars, significantly improving the flavor of the leaves. For a prolonged winter harvest, planting can continue into September and October in the milder parts of South Georgia.
Preparing the Soil and Initial Planting
Successful collard growth begins with proper soil preparation, focusing on a fertile, well-drained medium rich in organic material. Collard greens prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, ideally ranging between 6.0 and 6.8, which helps prevent issues like clubroot disease. Amending the planting area with aged compost or well-rotted manure before planting ensures the soil has the nitrogen necessary for robust leaf production.
Gardeners can choose between direct seeding or transplanting, with transplants often preferred for the spring crop to gain an early start. When direct seeding for a fall harvest, sow seeds a quarter-inch deep. Thin the resulting seedlings to the proper spacing once they are a few inches tall.
For transplants, whether started indoors or purchased from a nursery, place them in the garden at the same depth they were growing. Proper spacing is necessary for full leaf development and air circulation, so space individual plants between 18 to 24 inches apart.
Post-Planting Care and Maintenance
Watering and Mulching
Consistent moisture is necessary for collards to produce tender, flavorful leaves, as water stress results in a tough and bitter texture. Plants require about one to one and a half inches of water per week, especially during dry spells. Watering deeply encourages the development of deeper root systems. Applying a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plants helps maintain even soil moisture and suppresses weed growth.
Fertilization
Collards are heavy feeders, especially needing nitrogen to support their large, leafy growth. After the plants have established for about three to four weeks, apply a side-dressing of a high-nitrogen fertilizer, such as calcium nitrate (15.5-0-0), four to six inches away from the stems. This feeding can be repeated every four to six weeks throughout the growing period to maintain vigorous growth.
Pest Management
Gardeners should remain vigilant for common pests, including the imported cabbage worm and aphids. The cabbage worm can be managed by handpicking or by applying Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), an organic biological control. Aphids, which cluster on the undersides of leaves, can often be dislodged with a strong stream of water or treated with an insecticidal soap solution. Maintaining a clean, weed-free garden area is important, as weeds compete with the collards for nutrients and water.
Harvesting and Extending the Season
Collard greens are typically ready for harvest between 40 to 80 days from planting, depending on the variety and starting method. Utilize the “cut-and-come-again” method for a continuous supply of leaves rather than harvesting the entire plant at once. This involves harvesting the outer, lower leaves once they reach a usable size, usually about 10 inches long.
Use a sharp knife to cut them close to the main stem, ensuring the central growing point remains undamaged. Leaving at least six mature leaves on the plant allows it to continue photosynthesizing and producing new growth. This technique can keep the plant productive for many months, often surviving the mild Georgia winter and providing harvests into the following spring before eventually bolting.