Collard
Cabbage has a uniform and compact growth, soft taste. Cabbage greens are used for cooking, canning, and freezing. The leaves are frost-hardy and mature in 75 days.
Collard sometimes referred to as wild or non-cabbage, probably comes from Asia Minor and the Mediterranean. History is confused about how the collard appeared in Europe as to whether it was introduced there by the Romans or the Celts. This unique vegetable has become a special symbol of southern culture and traditions.
How to Grow Collard :
- Sowing: For spring sowing, plant the seeds 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost. For fall planting, sow directly 6-8 weeks before the first fall frost—plant seeds every 12″ to 1/4 of the depth. When the seedlings grow, remove all but the strongest. If you need larger plants, place them 2′ apart. Companion plants are cabbage with tomatoes.
- Plant Spacing: 12-18″.
- Growing of Collard: Needs regular watering; add compost or organic fertilizers several times in summer. Leaves tolerate heat very well.
- Collard Soil Requirements for: Moist, organic, composted, well-drained.
- Collard Days to Germination for: 5-12 days.
- Light Preference of Collard: Full Sun.
- How and When to Harvest Collard: Collect leaves when the plant is 10 to 12″ high. Collect the outer leaves first. The spring harvest of cabbage usually ends in hot summer weather, while the fall harvest yields well after frost. Frost makes the cabbage taste much sweeter.
- Collard Seeds Days to Maturity: 75-85 days.
- Collard's Seed Saving: For a plant to produce seeds, it needs to bloom. The seed pods look like small green beans. When the pods are dry, and the seeds are dark brown on the inside, cut them off and dry them entirely indoors. Peel off as trash as possible, then store the cabbage seeds in a cool, dry place.
FAST FACTS:
- Latin Name: Brassica oleracea
- Type: Open Pollinated, Heirloom, Cool Season
- USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Seeds per Ounce: 8,000
- Planting Method: From Transplant
- Sunlight: Full Sun
- Height: 30 Inches
- Color: Green
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