Collard greens are a member of the cabbage family… but they do not form heads. Supposedly they’re quite easy to grow in Florida.
| Collard greens | Brassica oleracea |
| Season (FL) | Winter |
| Soil type | Well drained with plenty of organic matter |
| Light | 4+ hours |
| Water | 1 to 1.5” per week |
| Sprouts in / germination | 6-12 days |
| Mature plant size | 2-3’ tall, 18” wide |
| Harvest in | 60-75 days |
Growing collard greens in Florida
The collard greens growing season in Florida is winter, for best results. Collards can tolerate heat and cold, but grow best in cool weather and lots of sunlight.
Fun fact: a little frost will actually make the leaves taste sweeter.
When to plant collard greens in Florida
Optimal collard greens planting time is August through February. Seeds can sprout at 45°F and up and can tolerate down to 20°F.
What you’ll need
You can purchase seeds online or look for transplants at a local market or garden center. Transplants can extend your growing season by preparing in late summer for your winter crop.
If starting seeds indoors, equip yourself with pots or trays, plus a quality potting mix.
How to plant collard greens
Plant seeds directly in the garden by sprinkling seeds over the soil. Then cover with a sprinkle of soil, and add water on top. Seed heavily and thin later. Add mulch to retain water and suppress weeds.
Growing collard greens in containers
Collards are versatile and make excellent, and even attractive, container plants. Roots can reach down two feet or more, so make sure the container is large enough.
Caring for collard plants
Continue thinning your collards until 18” between plants. Either transplant these or eat them right away. Mulching around plants helps keep leaves clean and healthy by eliminating splashing dirt when watering or raining.
When to harvest your greens
Really your collard leaves can be harvested at any time, and I wouldn’t recommend leaving them on the plant past 10 inches long. Harvest from the bottom up, forming a neat tree-like shape.
Suggested recipe for collard greens
Cook and add to anything – soups, stews, casseroles, you name it!
Sources
https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/gardening/collard-greens/
https://bonnieplants.com/blogs/how-to-grow/growing-collards/