How do you grow collards in Georgia?

Growing Instructions

Planting: For direct sow, plant from early spring to approximately 3 months before expected fall frost. Watering: Water 1 to 1.5 inches per week. Fertilizer: Collards need full sun, but they can be planted in poorer or average soils.

When should you plant collards in Georgia?

Collards are usually planted in the fall for winter harvest, but can also be set out in late winter for spring and early summer harvest. For the earliest spring production, start with store-bought transplants; buy ones that have a good green color, are short and compact, and are free of pests.

How long does it take to grow collard greens in Georgia?

Collards need about 80 days to mature from seed to harvest, but this can vary by variety, so check the back of your seed packet or plant pick. Depending on where you live, you might be able to do a spring planting of collards, though these greens won't have the benefit of a sweetening frost.

What month do you plant collards in?

The collard is a cool-season crop that should be grown during early spring or fall. Direct seed midsummer or early spring. Set transplants out in early spring or late summer. The mature plant will withstand frosts and light to medium freezes.

How tall does Georgia collards grow?

Non-heading plants grow 2-3 feet tall with large cabbage-like blue-green leaves that are tender, mild, and juicy. 60-80 days.

Join the journey to 3ft tall collards/Harvesting

Do collard greens grow back after cutting?

And the brilliant thing is once you harvest the first leaves – leaving the stem in tact – your collards will grow back and will regrow even quicker giving you a cut-and-come-again crop for weeks and weeks if not months.

Do collard greens need lots of water?

Collards do best with an even supply of water. Be sure to give them 1 to 1.5 inches of water weekly. Collards are fast growers and producers, so it's essential to feed them regularly with a water-soluble plant food. Add a 3-inch layer of mulch made from organic material to keep soil moist and prevent weeds.

What is the best fertilizer for collard greens?

Just before planting, scatter a complete garden fertilizer such as 10-10-10 over the area you will plant. Use 2 or 3 pounds for each 100 square feet, or about 1 cup for each 10 feet of row. Use a rake to mix the fertilizer 3 to 4 inches into the soil.

How late can you plant collard greens?

* Set out spring plants 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost; in late summer, plant 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost for fall and winter harvests. Direct sow when the soil can be worked in the spring. Use seedlings to replant in mid-summer for a fall harvest.

How often should you water collard greens?

Generally, collard greens prefer at least one to one and a half inches of water per week. It's best to water greens at the base of the plant to prevent powdery mildew or damping-off on tender leaves. If you're watering by hand, in cool seasons water well once in the morning.

How do you know when collard greens are ready to be picked?

Collard leaves are ready for harvest as soon as they reach usable size. They will be most tasty when picked young–less than 10 inches long and dark green. Older leaves will be tough and stringy. Collard greens are ready for harvest 75 to 85 days from transplants, and 85 to 95 days from seed.

Can you eat collard greens raw?

You can use collard greens: raw in salads or on sandwiches or wraps. braised, boiled, or sautéed.

Do collard greens need full sun?

The best collard greens growing environment is one with moist, fertile soil. The area chosen for collard greens planting should be in full sun. Plant seeds in rows at least 3 feet (1 m.) apart, as growing collard greens get large and need room to grow.

How do I keep bugs off my collard greens?

Spicy foods such as onion, garlic and hot pepper are fatally irritating to pests on collards. Make a garlic or hot pepper spray by steeping a few cloves of garlic or a teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a quart of water for about an hour. You can also add a chopped, raw onion to the water.

How do you grow collards in South Georgia?

Is Miracle Grow good for collards?

If you are looking for an all-around great option for collard greens then I recommend the Miracle-Gro All Purpose Plant Food. This is one of the Best Collard Greens Fertilizers EVER! This fertilizer instantly feeds providing bigger, better collard greens. You can apply it every two weeks with a garden feeder.

Is coffee grounds good for collard greens?

Collard plants prefer somewhat acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. There is no difference between collard greens and mustard greens regarding soil pH and growing conditions. Applying used coffee grounds as mulch around your plants helps add nitrogen to the soil and slightly lowers the pH.

Is egg shells good for collard greens?

Eggshells as Fertilizer

These vegetables may benefit from crushed eggshells placed directly in the soil above their roots. Eggshells replace depleted calcium in the soil to protect against this potentially deadly disease.

Why are my collard green leaves turning yellow?

Over-watering/overly wet soil is the most common cause of yellowing such as in your picture.

How often should I fertilize my collard greens?

Fertilizer for Collard Greens

Fertilize weekly with a liquid fertilizer and/or side-dress with 1 tablespoon of 10-10-10 fertilizer per plant or a few shovelfuls of compost midseason. Always water well after fertilizing.

How do you trim collard greens?