How to Grow Collard Greens in the South: The Ultimate Southern Green

Collard Greens: A Southern Garden Staple

Collard greens are as southern as it gets. They have been grown in southern gardens and kitchens for generations, and for good reason. Collards are nutritious, productive, cold-hardy, and remarkably forgiving. They grow through the mild southern winter when most vegetables have given up, and a single planting can provide harvests for months. If you are gardening in the South and not growing collards, you are missing one of your best crops.

When to Plant Collard Greens in the South

Collards can be planted almost any time of year in the South, but they are at their best during the cool season. The flavor actually improves after exposure to light frost as cold temperatures convert some of the plant's starches to sugars, producing a sweeter, more tender leaf.

For a fall and winter crop, plant transplants or seeds in late August through October in most of the South. In Florida, plant from September through February for winter production. For a spring crop, plant in late February or early March so plants can establish before summer heat arrives. Collards tolerate summer heat better than most brassicas but bolt (flower and become bitter) in extreme heat.

Starting Collard Greens

Collards can be direct sown from seed or transplanted. For fall planting, start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your intended transplant date to give you a head start on the season. Transplants go in the ground when they are 4 to 6 inches tall. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart to give them room to develop full, productive heads.

Collards grow well in most southern soils with decent drainage. Work in some compost before planting and follow with a balanced fertilizer at planting time. Side-dress with nitrogen fertilizer about 4 weeks after transplanting to keep plants growing vigorously.

The Best Collard Green Varieties for the South

Georgia collards (sometimes called Georgia Southern) is the classic variety and remains popular for its productivity and reliability. Vates is a compact variety that is more bolt-resistant than some others and works well in smaller spaces. Flash collards are a newer variety with excellent disease resistance and uniformity. Champion is another reliable performer with large, tender leaves and good cold tolerance.

Harvesting Collard Greens

Begin harvesting when leaves are large enough to use, typically 60 to 80 days after transplanting. Harvest outer leaves as the plant continues to grow from the center, or harvest the whole plant by cutting the stem near the base. The plant will regrow from the base, giving you multiple harvests from a single planting.

For the best flavor, harvest after the first frost or after a period of cool temperatures. Younger, smaller leaves are more tender and milder in flavor. Older, larger leaves have a stronger taste and need longer cooking.

Cooking with Fresh Collard Greens

Traditional southern collard greens are slow-cooked with smoked meat until very tender. But fresh garden collards are also excellent in stir fries, soups, smoothies, and even used as wraps in place of bread. The options are broader than tradition might suggest.

Build Your Complete Southern Vegetable Garden

Collard greens are one of the cornerstones of a productive southern food garden through the cooler months. For a complete planting system covering all the best crops for your southern zone through every season, the Florida Kitchen Garden Bundle gives you exactly what you need to grow food consistently through the entire year in the South.