Collard Greens
Collard greens, with their large, dark green leaves and sturdy stems, bring a robust and nutritious presence to any garden. These leafy greens are known for their rich, slightly bitter flavor and high nutritional value. Their broad, overlapping leaves create a lush, verdant display, making collard greens a standout feature in garden beds or containers.
In Florida planting zone 9, collard greens thrive, particularly in the cooler months. The plants grow into tall, bushy forms, with leaves that can be harvested continuously throughout the growing season. Watching these vibrant greens flourish is a satisfying experience, showcasing the bounty of your garden.
For those new to gardening, collard greens are an excellent choice. They are relatively easy to grow and provide a steady supply of nutritious leaves. Whether you enjoy them sautéed, in soups, or as part of a traditional Southern dish, collard greens bring a hearty and healthy addition to your meals, making your gardening efforts truly rewarding.
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The vegetables listed on this page are not the only ones that can thrive in this region of Florida, but they represent the top recommended varieties for optimal growth and success in local conditions.
Collard Greens Varieties:
Georgia Southern
Heirloom
Description: Georgia Southern is a popular heirloom variety known for its large, dark green, crumpled leaves and mild flavor. It is highly productive and well-suited for both home gardens and market growing.
Growing Season: Fall and Winter
USDA Planting Zone: 6–10
Special Notes: Very heat-tolerant and resistant to bolting, making it an excellent choice for warmer climates like Florida.
Vates
Heirloom
Description: Vates is a compact variety that produces smooth, dark green leaves with a tender texture and mild flavor. It is ideal for smaller gardens due to its compact growth habit.
Growing Season: Fall and Winter
USDA Planting Zone: 6–9
Special Notes: Highly resistant to cold weather and slow to bolt, making it suitable for extended harvesting.
Morris Heading
Heirloom
Description: Morris Heading is an heirloom variety that produces large, thick, crumpled leaves with a sweet, mild flavor. It forms loose heads that are easy to harvest.
Growing Season: Fall and Winter
USDA Planting Zone: 6–10
Special Notes: Known for its excellent heat tolerance and resistance to bolting. A traditional favorite in Southern cuisine.
Top Bunch
Hybrid
Description: Top Bunch is a hybrid variety that produces dark green, tender leaves with a smooth texture. It is known for its rapid regrowth after cutting, providing multiple harvests.
Growing Season: Fall and Winter
USDA Planting Zone: 7–10
Special Notes: Fast-growing and highly productive, making it a great choice for continuous harvesting.
Champion
Heirloom
Description: Champion is an heirloom variety similar to Vates but with slightly larger and thicker leaves. It is known for its excellent flavor and tender texture.
Growing Season: Fall and Winter
USDA Planting Zone: 7–9
Special Notes: Very hardy and resistant to bolting, providing a long harvest period.
Florida Vegetable Planting Guide
This guide provides information on when to start seeds inside, direct seed, and transplant starter plants in the different regions of Florida.
North USDA Planting Zones: 8b-9a
Central USDA Planting Zones: 9b & some of 10a
South USDA Planting Zones: 10a-11b
Visit the U.S. National Arboretum for an Exact USDA Planting Zone Map.
| Collard Greens | North Florida | Central Florida | South Florida |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start Seeds Inside | Aug-Feb | Aug-Feb | Aug-Jan |
| Direct Seed | Aug-Feb | Sep-Feb | Sep-Jan |
| Transplant Starter Plants | Aug-Feb | Sep-Feb | Sep-Jan |
Planting Guide – Collard Greens
Getting Started
Start Seeds Inside:
Starting collard greens seeds indoors provides a controlled environment for germination, ensuring
strong seedlings ready for transplanting outdoors.
Direct Seed:
Direct seeding collard greens during the cooler months allows the plants to establish quickly and
avoid the stress of high temperatures.
Transplant Starter Plants:
Transplanting collard greens starter plants during the cooler months helps them establish quickly
and take advantage of the full growing season, leading to a bountiful harvest.
Soil, Sun, Water, and Spacing
Soil:
Collard greens prefer well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and structure.
Sun:
Full sun is ideal, but collard greens can tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates.
Watering:
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulching helps retain soil moisture and regulate
temperature.
Spacing:
Plant seedlings about 12–24 inches apart in rows spaced around 24 inches apart
to allow adequate air circulation and room for growth.
Harvesting and Additional Tips
Harvesting:
Collard greens are ready to harvest when leaves are about 10–12 inches long, typically
50–90 days after planting. Harvest outer leaves first (bottom-up) and leave the center
growing point intact so the plant keeps producing.
Additional Tips:
- Flavor improves after cool weather; leaves become less bitter and more tender.
- Harvest in the morning for the crispest texture.
- Keep moisture consistent to prevent tough leaves and stress-induced bitterness.
- Remove yellowing lower leaves to improve airflow and reduce pest/disease pressure.
Fertilization, Care, and Problems
Fertilization (N–P–K Ratio):
Collard greens benefit from a balanced fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content to support leafy
growth, such as 10-10-10 or 15-5-10.
When to Add:
Before Planting: Apply the balanced fertilizer to the soil before
planting seeds or transplants to promote strong initial growth.
Mid-Growing Season: Reapply the fertilizer every 4–6 weeks during
the growing season to support continued leafy growth.
Application Tips:
- Follow the directions on the fertilizer package to avoid over-fertilization.
- Apply the fertilizer evenly around the base of the plants and water thoroughly so nutrients reach the roots.
Pests and Diseases in Florida:
- Aphids: Small insects that suck sap from leaves and stems, causing curling and yellowing.
- Cabbage Worms: Caterpillars that chew large holes in the leaves.
- Flea Beetles: Tiny beetles that chew small holes in leaves, leaving a “shot hole” pattern.
- Cutworms: Caterpillars that can cut down young plants at the base.
- Downy Mildew: Fungal disease causing yellowing leaves with a fuzzy, grayish growth on the underside.
- Clubroot: Fungal disease that causes swollen, distorted roots and stunted plants.
Blog post on Natural Fertilizers
Natural Pest Control
Companion Plants and Plants to Avoid
Companion Plants:
| Marigold | Bright flowers that release root exudates deterring nematodes and other soil-borne pests, while helping repel aphids, flea beetles, and other insects around collard greens. |
| Onions | Strong-scented bulbs that help repel aphids, flea beetles, and other pests that can damage collard greens by masking their scent. |
| Dill | Feathery herb that attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs and predatory wasps which prey on aphids, cabbage worms, and flea beetles, improving plant health overall. |
| Chamomile | Daisy-like herb that draws in hoverflies and parasitic wasps while offering mild antifungal benefits, helping reduce issues such as downy mildew. |
| Thyme | Low-growing herb whose strong aroma helps repel cabbage worms, flea beetles, and other pests, and attracts beneficial insects that prey on pests around collard greens. |
Plants to Avoid Nearby:
| Strawberries | Can attract pests and diseases that are harmful to collard greens when planted too close together. |
| Tomatoes | Compete for nutrients and may attract pests that also attack collard greens, increasing pressure on your brassica bed. |
| Peppers | Can stunt collard growth when grown very close, competing for similar nutrients and space in smaller beds. |
| Garden Beans | May inhibit collard growth due to differing nutrient needs and potential allelopathic interactions. |
|
Other Brassicas (Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli) |
Compete for the same nutrients and attract similar pests and diseases. Spacing them out or rotating beds helps reduce pest and disease buildup. |