NC STATE UNIVERSITY
Horticulture Information Leaflet 8012
Revised
3/00
- Author Reviewed
3/00
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Horticultural Science
HOME GARDEN COLLARDS
Douglas C. Sanders, Extension Horticultural Specialist
Larry Bass, Extension Horticultural Specialist
I The collard is a cool-season crop that
should be grown during early spring or fall.
The mature plant will withstand frosts and
light to medium freezes. It is one of the most
popular garden vegetables in the south and
is rapidly becoming a delicacy in northern
states as well. Collards provide a good
source of vitamins and minerals.
Soils - Collards may be grown in a variety
of soils. Heavier loamy soils will produce
the greatest yields. The lighter, well
drained, sandy soils are best for early
spring crops. Soils should be well drained,
rich in organic matter, and have a pH of 6.0
to 6.5.
Fertilizer - Leafy vegetables require quick,
continuous growth for best quality. They
need ample nitrogen for good green color
and tender growth. Soil testing is
recommended. For average soils, use 1 - 2
pounds of 10-10-10 per 100 ft2 before
planting. Side-dress with 3 oz of 10-10-10
per 100 ft2, 3 to 5 weeks after the seed
comes up or after transplanting, and 2 to 3
weeks after that.
Distributed in furtherance
of the Acts of Congress
of May 8 and June 30, 1914.
Employment and program
opportunities are offered to
all people regardless of
race, color, national origin,
sex, age, or disability. North
Carolina State University,
North Carolina A&T State
University, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, and local
governments cooperating.
Varieties - Plant Vates, Carolina Improved
Heading (or Morris), Georgia Southern,
Blue Max, or Heavi Crop. These varieties
have consistently done well in North
Carolina conditions.
Cropping Systems - There are four general
ways to produce collards.
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1 . Grow and set transplants in early spring,
and harvest the whole plant 50 to 60
days later.
2. Grow and transplant in early spring,
and market cropped leaves in late
spring, and keep plants growing into
fall when the entire plant is harvested.
3. Seed direct about August 15, or
transplant from September 1 to 1 5, and
harvest in late October to December.
4. Seed direct to field in spring. These
may be harvested as leafy greens or
thinned to 15 to 18 inches and carried
over to fall.
Growing Plants - Plants may be grown by
seeding directly in the field (0. 1 to 0.2 oz per
1 00 ft of row) or in protected beds ( 1 pound
of seed per 1000 ft2). About 6 to 8 weeks
will be required to produce plants ready for
transplanting.
Direct Seeding - There are several good
precision seeders (Earth Way or Garden
Way seeder) on the market. In general, the
seeders reduce seed use by 40 to 70%. The
stands are much more uniform and require
very little thinning. Uniform stands are easier
to grow and harvest, thus reducing the cost of
production. Unifonn stands grow evenly and
are better weed competitors. Seed should
beplaced in moist soil usually
Чг
to 3A inch
deep, but never deeper than 1 inch. If
moisture is not adequate for germination
in the top 3/4 inch, irrigation should be
applied. Frequent irrigation is also
