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How to Grow Collards
While collard Green have traditionally been enjoy in the American South , this hearty Brassica oleracea industrial plant grows well in many region around the United States . Collards produce tremendous edible leafage from summer through autumn .
Time of Planting
Plants may be transpose to the garden anytime after the danger of hard Robert Lee Frost has pop off . Sow seed indoors , 4 - 6 weeks before transplanting .
Spacing Requirements
Sow seed ¼ inch deep . collard greens need a lot of blank space to raise . Plant your seedlings at least 24 inch apart .
Time to Germination
3 - 10 solar day
Special Considerations
Collards are among the most resilient Brassica crops . They can fly high throughout farseeing , hot summers and endure into the descent and winter longer than most garden crops .
Common Pests and Diseases
scratch worms , harlequin bug , grasshoppers , and other summer insects savour consume the thick leave of collard Green . If you are experiencing pressure from pest , clothe twinkle row natural covering over your collard plants .
When and How to Harvest for Food Consumption
Collard foliage can be harvested after they have matured to the size of a large dinner plate . single parting can be reap throughout the summer , fall , and winter . Leaves are especially tasty and sweet after plant have experience moderate frost .
Eating
Some people delight eating natural collards , using them like a tortilla or lettuce wrapping . Collard green are traditionally simmer in stock , descent , or fat over crushed heat energy .
Storing
Collard greens will last 7 - 10 daylight in the refrigerator and can be blanched and frozen to lay in their flora throughout the winter .
How to Save Collard Seeds
collard greens belong to the Brassica oleracea species , which includes many other craw types , like broccoli , Brussels pullulate , and cauliflower . Because of this , closing off needs to be manage thoughtfully , but because most are biennials that will not flower until their 2nd time of year , a nurseryman can grow multiple variety for eating while simultaneously arise one variety for seed saving .
Life Cycle
Biennial
Recommended Isolation Distance
Separate miscellanea by 800 feet – ½ geographical mile Admiralty mile in their second year of growing .
Recommended Population Sizes
To assure viable seeds , hold open seeded player from at least 5 plants . When maintaining a mixture over many generations , hold open seed from 20 - 50 plants . If you ’re saving seeds for genic preservation of a uncommon variety , save seed from 80 plants .
Vernalization
If your garden does not reach temperatures below 20 degrees degree Fahrenheit , you’re able to winter collards outdoors .
When plants can not be successfully overwintered outside , they can be vernalized in memory board . First , take precaution to dig up the entire flora , roots and all . Then , out farewell should be trimmed off , with the growing point leave intact . last , trimmed industrial plant should be replanted into container filled with slimly dampish pot mix or moxie for store .
The optimal storage conditions for Brassica oleracea crop range from 34 – 39 stage F and 80 - 95 % relative humidness . A traditional root wine cellar is ideal for vernalization but garages , sheds , and other unwarmed structures can be evenly utile in some mood .
In the spring , when the ground can be worked , remove the collards from storage and replant them in your garden , taking concern to give them a mickle of room to grow . When growing collards for cum , increase spacing to 18 - 24 inches apart in rows that are at least 36 inch apart . game the plant is recommended .
Assessing Seed Maturity
After flowering in their second yr , glean collard seeds when they are very hard and pod are dry and brittle .
Harvesting
come can be gathered by rationalize branch or by harvest whole flora . Because of this species ’ leaning to shatter , the harvested material should be placed on free fall cloths or in containers to forbid seed red .
Cleaning and Processing
Brassica oleracea seeds can be threshed by scratch the pods between one ’s hands or against any surface that will have them to bust unfastened . If the pods are dry , they will release their germ easily when threshed .
Storage and Viability
Store collard seed in a cool , grim , and dry station in an airtight container to keep out wet and humidity . When stored under these conditions , collard seminal fluid can be expected to remain viable for 6 years .
Read more about storing seminal fluid .
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