Left Continue shopping
Your Order

You have no items in your cart

You might also like
Hoss Pruning Shears
Hoss Pruning Shears
From $2999
Show options
Hossinator Hybrid Tomato
Hossinator Hybrid Tomato F1
From $499
Show options
Explore Our Growing Supplies
View Collection
Collard Greens in a backyard garden
Growing Guide

Collards

This Collard Greens Growing Guide helps you grow hearty, nutritious leaves all season long. Learn when to plant, how to space, water, fertilize, combat pests, and store your greens. Plus bonus tips on variety selection and maximizing harvests. Fun fact: Collards get sweeter after a frost!

Quick Overview

Category Details
Planting Time Early spring & late summer/early fall
Soil Temperature 60–70 °F ground temp
Sunlight Requirements Full Sun (6+ hours)
Watering Requirements 1" per week
Spacing (In-Ground) Rows: 30–36″, Plants: 18–24″
Spacing (Raised Bed) 18–24″ apart
Fertilizer Guidelines Heavy feeder – pre-plant & side-dress nitrogen

Growing Guide Details

Plant Classifications

Collard greens are categorized by growth form: Loose‑leaf types like Vates and Georgia Southern produce open, sweeping leaves ideal for cut‑and‑come‑again harvesting. The Morris Heading and similar hybrids form a loose, dome‑shaped head—more compact and suited to harvesting entire plants at once.

What Variety to Choose?

💡

Georgia Southern: Traditional variety with loose leaves and excellent cold tolerance—ideal for continuous fall & winter harvesting.

Vates: Reliable, vigorous loose‑leaf with smooth, tender texture—great for multiple pickings.

Morris Heading: Forms a loose head—efficient if you prefer harvesting the entire plant at once.

Top Bunch 2.0: Fast‑growing, cut‑and‑come‑again hybrid with sweet flavor and strong regrowth.

When to Plant

Spring: Start seeds indoors 4–5 weeks before last frost, or transplant 2 weeks before last frost.

Fall: Sow 6–8 weeks before the first fall frost date but after daytime temperatures are regularly below 70°F.

Light & Space Requirements

Light & Space Requirements

Sunlight: Full sun (6-8 hours/day) is essential.

In-Ground:

Row spacing: 30–36 in

Plant spacing: 12 in

Raised Beds: 12 in between plants

Pro Tip: It normally takes 4–6 weeks to grow out a transplant from seed.

Top Bunch 2.0 Hybrid Collard F1

Soil & Fertility

Soil Requirements:

Adjust soil pH between 6.0–7.0

Rich in compost or organic matter

Loamy, well-drained soil

Fertilizer Schedule:

Before Planting:
Mix 1½ cups of HOSS Complete Organic Fertilizer per 10 ft of row

2-3 Weeks After Transplanting:
Sidedress with 2 cups of HOSS All-In-One Vegetable Fertilizer per 10-15 ft row.

If using Fertilizer injector, 1 cup 20-20-20 Fertilizer and 1-2 cups microboost per 20 ft row.

3-4 Weeks after transplanting:

Side dress of one cup of Hoss All-In-One Fertilizer per 10 ft of row.

If using fertilizer injector, Mix 1 cup of Hoss Premium Calcium Nitrate  and 1-2 cups of Hoss Micro-Boost Micronutrient Supplement per 20-30 ft. row.

14 days later:

Rotate between the steps for 2-3 weeks and 3-4 weeks every 14 days.

Pest & Disease Control

Pest/Disease Control Method
Thrips

Garden Insect Spray
Horn Worms

Garden Insect Spray, Monterey BT, Take Down, Take Out
Cabbage Looper

Garden Insect Spray, Monterey BT, Take Out
Aphids

Horticulture Oil, Bug Buster-O, Take Down, Neem Oil, Take Out
Flea Beetle

Horticulture Oil, Bug Buster-O, Take Down, Take Out
Whiteflies

Horticulture Oil, Bug Buster-O, Take Down, Take Out
Cutworms

Diatomaceous Earth, Take Out
Pythium Damping-off

Complete Disease Control, Garden Phos
Black Rot

Liquid Copper
Downey Mildew

Liquid Copper, Garden Phos
Powdery Mildew

Garden Phos
Alternaria

Garden Phos

Irrigation & Watering Schedule

• Needs 1” water per week

• Keep soil consistently moist (not soggy)

• Use Drip Irrigation Kits to avoid wetting leaves

Vates Collard

Vates Collard

Harvesting & Storage

Harvest: Begin picking bottom leaves as soon as they reach 6–8″. You can harvest individual leaves throughout the season or cut the whole plant when young for regrowth.

Storage: Store unwashed leaves wrapped in damp paper towels inside a sealed bag in the refrigerator—keeps fresh for 4–10 days.

Preservation Tip: Flavor improves with light frost—cold weather converts starches into sugars making leaves sweeter.

Sustainability & Garden Tips

• Remove and compost healthy plant residues; destroy disease‑infected plants to avoid contamination.
• Mulch to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and keep leaves clean.
• Companion plant with marigolds, rosemary, or mint to naturally deter pests.
• Rotate crops yearly—avoid planting collards or other brassicas in the same spot for 2–3 years to prevent soil-borne diseases.

FAQs

How long before collards are ready to harvest?

Leaves can be picked in about 75 days, though you can harvest smaller, tender leaves earlier.

Will collards regrow after harvesting?

Yes—when you selectively cut outer leaves, the plant continues producing until it’s cut to the base or goes to seed.

Can I grow collards in containers?

Absolutely! Collards grow well in pots at least 12–16″ wide and deep. Choose fast‑regrowing varieties and maintain consistent soil moisture for best results.

Can collards bolt or flower too early?

Yes—warm temperatures and long daylight induce bolting. Plant early spring or fall and keep soil cool and moist to delay flowering.

Are collards nutritionally rich?

Yes—collard greens are packed with vitamins A, C, and especially K, plus fiber and calcium, making them one of the most nutritious leafy greens.

Published on August 06, 2025
Updated on August 06, 2025