Vegetable: Collard Greens

SYG Variety: Top Bunch

Planting Instructions: Leave 10-12 inches between each plant

• 4×12 beds (K-12) fit 24 plants in a full bed (3 across & 8 down)
• 3×9 beds (preschool) fit 10 plants in a full bed (2 across & 5 down)

Plant to Harvest Time Frame: 7 weeks

• Plant: mid-March to early April for a spring harvest & early August to early September for a fall harvest 

Harvest: Once bottom leaves reach about 5 inches in width, harvest leaves by cutting or tearing the leaves off from the stalk of the plant. Harvest the bottom leaves first, as these will be the ones to mature first and allow the top leaves to grow until they reach desired size. Continually harvest often.

Tips and Tricks: As part of the brassica family, Collard Greens are prone to the pesky cabbage looper. 

To keep these pests at bay, check the underside of leaves regularly and discard any loopers or eggs found on plants. You can also consider the biological insecticide, dipel dust available through your SYG coordinator. 

Health Facts: Collard greens and other cruciferous vegetables are rich in sulfur containing compounds known as glucosinolates, which support healthy detoxification in the body. Collards are also a great source of vitamin C, which among other functions helps to support a healthy immune system and plays a major role in collagen synthesis. 

Recipe: Garden Veggie Wraps

Collard greens can be used in our easy Garden Veggie Wrap recipe. Instead of tortillas, put your hummus and veggies in a large collard green and make the leaf your wrap! It’s delicious and easy for everyone to create their own.

You can find our other great SYG recipes here.

Another great collard greens recipe, if you have access to a stove top or warmer, comes from the blog “Divas Can Cook.”

Happy Gardening!