Collards Planned

Collards ('Georgia Southern' and 'Champion' grown together) are transplanted in September for Decatur's Zone 8a fall-into-winter garden, sweetening after frost and holding through most of the cold season on outer-leaf harvests.

1. 1

   Sowing

   Late July to mid-August, 4-6 weeks before the September transplant date

   You'll see Seeds are round and pea-sized, dark brown to black, nearly identical between the two varieties.

   Do Start seed in cell trays under lights or in a shaded spot, keeping soil surface damp until sprouting.

   Details
2. 2

   Seedling

   Days 5-28 after sowing

   You'll see Rounded seed leaves appear first, then broad, smooth, blue-green true leaves begin to show, with Champion generally staying a bit more compact than Georgia Southern even at this stage.

   Do Keep seedlings in bright light to prevent legginess, and pot up if roots fill the cell before transplanting.

   Details
3. 3

   Transplant

   4-6 weeks after starting indoors, in September, when seedlings have 4-6 true leaves

   You'll see Transplant-ready seedlings are stocky, 3-4 inches tall, with broad blue-green leaves and a root ball that holds together when lifted.

   Do Harden off over 5-7 days, then set plants an inch deeper than they sat in the tray, spaced 18-24 inches apart for the larger Georgia Southern or 12-18 inches for the more compact Champion.

   Details
4. 4

   Cut-and-come-again harvest

   Starting 55-75 days after transplant, continuing all winter

   You'll see Broad, smooth, blue-green leaves 10-14 inches across form an open, non-heading rosette on an increasingly tall central stem.

   Do Harvest the oldest outer leaves from the bottom of the plant, working up, and leave the top crown of young leaves untouched.

   Details
5. 5

   Bolting

   Late winter into spring, once daylength lengthens, if plants are carried over that long

   You'll see A central stalk elongates further and clusters of small yellow flowers appear at the top of the plant.

   Do Keep harvesting leaves right up until flowering starts, then pull the plant or let a healthy one flower for pollinators and seed.

   Details
6. 6

   Seed saving

   6-10 weeks after bolting, once seed pods dry from green to brown

   You'll see Flower stalks turn from yellow blooms to slim, brown, brittle pods that rattle with seed when dry.

   Do Cut whole seed stalks into a paper bag once pods are dry and brittle, then crush and winnow to separate seed from chaff.

   Details

Techniques — transplant, prune, propagate, divide, seed