Spring is in the air—and so is the perfect time to plant one of the garden's most reliable and rewarding greens: collard greens. As the soil begins to warm and the days stretch just a little longer, this is your green light to kick off a new season of leafy abundance. Collards thrive in the gentle coolness of early spring, making them an ideal crop to start right now in raised beds, patios, or backyard plots.
Why Raised Beds Make Collards Extra Happy
Collard greens are sturdy, no-nonsense plants, but they absolutely love a good home. Raised beds give them just that—great drainage, better soil structure, and an early jump on the growing season thanks to soil that warms up faster than the ground around it. Plus, they keep things neat, tidy, and accessible—no muddy boots required.
Pick Your Leafy Fighter: Georgia vs. Vates
Collards come in a few personalities. Two popular choices:
-
Georgia – Big, broad, light green leaves with a sweet, tender bite. These are your classic southern-style greens.
-
Vates – Compact, darker, and slightly more cabbage-like. A good pick when space is tight but flavor still matters.
Both are cold-hardy, frost-kissed flavor bombs. In fact, a touch of frost actually improves the taste. Nature’s seasoning!
When and How to Plant
Timing is everything—luckily, spring gives you a wide window. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost, or direct sow now if temperatures are consistently above 45°F at night.
-
Seed depth: ¼ inch
-
Spacing: 2–3 inches in trays; later thin or transplant to 18 inches apart
Pro tip: Wait until your seedlings have two sets of true leaves before transplanting. They'll thank you with stronger roots and faster growth.
Build the Bed, Feed the Soil
Raised beds don’t need to be fancy. Use what you have and fill the bottom with sticks, cardboard, or leaves. Save the good stuff—rich compost and moisture-retaining potting soil—for the top 10–12 inches.
-
Ideal pH: 6.0–7.0
-
Fertilizer bonus: A small scoop of organic root starter (like biotone) in each transplant hole = supercharged growth.
Water, Mulch & Watch Them Thrive
-
Water 1–2 inches per week (more if it's getting warm)
-
Mulch around the base of plants to:
-
Lock in moisture
-
Keep weeds from crashing the party
-
Invite earthworms (pine bark mulch works wonders here)
-
Mulch also breaks down and improves soil over time. It's like passive gardening—set it and let it help you out.
Watch Out for Garden Invaders
Collards might be tough, but pests like aphids and cabbage worms love a leafy buffet.
Combat them by:
-
Handpicking (very satisfying, oddly enough)
-
Spraying neem oil regularly
-
Sprinkling food-grade diatomaceous earth for a natural deterrent
Keep an eye out for holes and shredded leaves—early detection is your best friend.
Harvest Like a Pro
-
Ready in 60–75 days
-
Pick outer leaves once they're 10–12 inches long
-
Don’t wait too long—larger leaves can become bitter
Store fresh in the fridge up to a week or blanch and freeze for future soups, sautés, and wraps. Yes—collard wraps are totally a thing and they’re delicious.
Final Thoughts (and a Friendly Nudge)
Spring is the season of new beginnings, and growing collard greens is a great way to celebrate it—with flavor, color, and leafy pride. They’re easy to care for, tough enough to thrive through surprises, and generous enough to keep giving.
Have you grown collards before? Got a favorite variety or grandma’s secret seasoning tip? Drop it in the comments—we gardeners grow better together.
