Q: I planted my collards in the Spring of 2005 and cut them back in the Fall of 2005. These plants are still going strong. How many years can collard plants grow? Shall I cut them back to the stem again to keep them growing? Would it do any good?Hardiness Zone: 8a
Thanking you in advance.
Holly from Dallas, TX
A: Holly,
Since is doesn't sound like you are looking to harvest the collards over the winter, I would keep cutting them back in the fall the same way you did last year. Collards are usually grown as annuals, but they can also be grown as biennials or perennials in warmer climates. They can survive temperatures to the upper 20s-even cooler if they are located in the right microclimate.
I've heard of them growing for several years before tiring out. Collards taste best during the cooler parts of the season, especially right after a light frost. This is because the plant responds to cooler temperatures by moving water from the leaves to the roots, which concentrates the sugars in the leaves and ultimately gives them a sweet flavor. You can get this same "sweet" flavor in the heat of the summer if you pop the whole plant (stems and all) into the freezer for about 10 minutes. You end up sacrificing the plant, but you get leaves with that post-frost sweet flavor.
Hey Holly,
Just make sure you don't let them go to 'seed'.
It will make a flowering stem right out of the center and this will signal the plant to try to die. Just cut it back. It will also change the flavor of the collards ...not as good . I've had plants come back for several years in the garden even after being plowed under, they would grow sideways, crooked...
My neighbor has some collards that have been growing for about 20 years and they are better tasting every year. Good luck...
Yes, I have had the same results by repeatedly pinching off the flower stalks for many years now and it works great. The plant can become like a small tree often times with many plants sprouting from the same stalk. Quite unusual as a striking yet still productive curiosity.
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Thanks,
Sheryl
A: Sheryl,
If you want to save the seeds from your collard greens, just leave some of the flowering plants alone to form seed pods. You'll be able to identify them easily once they form because they look almost like green beans. In fact, some people even eat them. The pods can be left to dry right on the plant in the same way you would leave bean pods to dry.
Good luck!
Ellen
Just wait and watch. The flowers will produce seeds. Wait until they are just dry and take them for use. Depending on where you live, you may want to wait to replant as they probably won't appreciate the summer heat.
Do I need to cut collard greens at the top with flowers growing in the middle or leave them.
You can pick the leaves as the plant grows, always cutting off the ones at the bottom of the plant. As the inner stalk continues to grow upwards and produce more leaves, your collard plant will eventually look like a little tree with a bare stem at the bottom and leaves on the top. They will start to get top-heavy towards the end of the season and may require support.
For more information on growing collard greens, check out:
Your collard greens are bolting. It may be hot where you live. Cut the flowers off. The plant will use its energy to make flowers, not vegetables.
I have grown some nice collards and I never topped them. I always let them go to seed for next year.
Attosa is right. Start picking the leaves from the bottom. However, the first 5-6 leaves should be picked and thrown away. This will add more strength to the other leaves, provide better air circulation and help keep down the collard maggot.
The article stated to plant seed shallowly. This may be true, but collards need to be planted deeply. The plants of shallowly planted seed would need to be transplanted deeper. I bury all of the seedling except the two top leaves, having torn the others away. This makes for a stronger, better plant. I learned this from my ag agent.
Judy is right as well. Collards are a cool season crop and grow best in Fall. Summer heat will cause them to bolt. I plant mine as early as possible in the Spring so they mature before extreme heat sets in. The picture shows them growing along side snow peas which I planted in February.
I planted Collard Green seeds last year in early Fall. The plants came up and I did not cut them down as usual. They survived the winter and now have grown to about five feet tall with yellow flowers on top. What should I do? Should I cut the flowers to promote leaf growth? Will cutting the flowers kill the plants?
Hardiness Zone: 7a
By James Jones from New Haven, CT
You can cut the flowers off. It will not hurt the collards. They will keep growing, enjoy, good luck.
I planted some Georgia collards and the leaves on some of the plants are turning beige and withering up. Do I cut off the leaf or leave it on the plant? Thanks.
It sounds like your plants are struggling, posslby under some pest or disease. Here is a site that discusses different things you can do: www.plantvillage.org/
the symptoms you describes sound like fungus: "Alternaria leaf spot FUNGUS
Alternaria spp.
SYMPTOMS
Brown to tan concentric rings with yellow edges on leaves; centers of lesions developing gray to brown soft fungal mold; brown to black lesions with a black border on roots
COMMENTS
Disease emergence favors warm, wet conditons
MANAGEMENT
Plant only pathogen-free seed; rotate crops; applications of appropriate fungicides control disease when present"
I planted a couple of mustard and collard greens and some have already popped out of the soil with two little leaves. I was wondering if they need any special lighting, or do they just need warmth, or do they need the sun?
By Daniel
Both are very low maintenance. If they get at least a partial day sun and regular watering...not soaking, you should be enjoying them within the month! Yum!!!
They need average sun and regular watering. Enjoy them.
When the flowers come on the top of collards are the green leaves still good to eat?
By Colonel
Usually when garden plants flower and bolt, they aren't eaten because they turn bitter. If you don't mind bitter greens, go ahead and eat them.
I planted collards the first of September and did not harvest. It is now the middle of January and the leaves have turned a light brown, sorta purple. Are they still good to harvest?
By Dwight
Actually when collards green start purple is because, the sugar started to get into the leaves , better when it turn purples! The cold weather makes them sweeter and they turn to leaves ! I hope this help!
I planted a couple of mustard and collard greens and some have already popped out of the soil with two little leaves. I was wondering if they need any special lighting or do they just need warmth or the sun?
By Daniel from Weslaco, TX
I planted collard greens and mustard in the early summer. Can I pick and cook them now?
By Jane K.
Yes, your plants should be large enough by now. I always select a few leaves from the bottom and add to my salads, or steam the collard greens. Yummmm! You can also start new plants now to harvest throughout the winter months if your zone allows. I live in Zone 7 and have a year-round garden. I actually enjoy the winter garden best, no bugs and a wonderful mixture of greens!
I planted collard greens about a month ago. They look ready to pick, how will I know?
Hardiness Zone: 10a
By jeanne from Sun City, CA
I pinch the leaves off & cook them any time I want some, you can ad a little sugar to them while cooking, taste them before serving, good luck.
I'm a first time gardener. I planted collards and cabbage this fall. They are really doing great! My question is at the bottom of some plants near the soil, the leaves tend to turn yellow. I was wondering whether they are getting too much water or not. I water every evening when the sun goes down. Thx.
By Nadine D
I live in West Virginia. I bought collard plants the first of April and planted them. They have been growing for about 4 or 5 weeks. Now they are starting to bloom and the plants aren't that big. Should I cut the blooms off? Will the plant continue to have the large leaves after blooming?
By Karen
My husband planted Georgia hybrid collards last October. They are about 3 1/2 feet tall. Can I still prepare the leaves and which ones? I have not harvested any of it yet. We live in central Florida. They are nice looking. Thank you.
By Lucy
I am in Virginia and my collards lasted through the winter into this spring. They are still small in size and look great. Are they still good?
By Dia
My collard green stalks are getting soft and rotting out before the season is over. It is now only the first of September. What could be causing this to happen?
By Clarence
My dad has always had the most beautiful collard plants. He is trying to harvest his own seeds now. Any details? How long do you dry the pods? How long is the seed good? What's the best way to dry the pods? I need any advise and/or information.
By Brenda from Natchitoches, LA
Is November too late to plant collard greens?
Hardiness Zone: 9a
By sonya from Baker, LA
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I always heard that it is best to pick collard greens after the first frost.
The older the collard plant, the smaller the leaves. I planted a collard plants this spring. Can I get the fall season out of it by cutting it down to the ground? My location is Dallas, TX.
