Collard Greens

Collard Greens

August 24, 2024

Introduction

Collard greens are not only packed with nutrients, but they also happen to be the perfect addition to any cramped city balcony or fire escape garden. I have the secret to growing the greenest, most succulent collard greens. These tips will have your greens growing like weeds (in a good way!). You can turn even the tiniest of balconies into a collard green oasis.

The What

Collard greens, hearty relatives of cabbage, boast large, dark green leaves with a slightly robust flavor. Packed with essential vitamins A, C, and K, they're a nutritious addition to any diet. Collards thrive in NYC's diverse climate and adapt well to indoor, hydroponic, balcony, or terrace gardening setups. Their versatility shines in salads, stir-fries, and as a flavorful side dish, providing a constant source of fresh greens.

The Why

Urban gardening with collard greens brings a touch of culinary elegance to your NYC apartment or terrace. These sturdy greens thrive in small spaces, perfect for city living. They pair wonderfully with other crops like carrots, beets, and radishes when planted together, making the most of your space and boosting your harvest. Growing your own collards guarantees fresh, pesticide-free greens and supports a sustainable lifestyle. This practice not only elevates your meals but also helps you connect with local, wholesome ingredients, adding a sophisticated touch to your urban life.

Sunlight Requirements

Collard greens require 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Indoors: Grow in large pots with bright light or hydroponically using grow lights for 12-14 hours.

Water Requirements

Keep the soil consistently moist, watering regularly. Indoors, monitor soil moisture frequently; outdoors, water regularly, especially during hot weather. Mulching helps retain moisture.

Temperature Tolerance

Collard greens are a cool weather crop and thrive in 45-85°F, ideally 60-75°F. Plant outdoors in March-May and August-September in NYC zone 7b. Indoors, maintain 60-75°F year-round.

Container Size

Indoors: 8-10" wide, 8" deep, 2 gallons; Outdoors: 12-14" wide, 12-14" deep, 5 gallons

Best Soil Mix

Collard greens prefer rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter, such as compost from vegetable peelings or well-rotted manure.

How to Add Fertilizer

Use balanced or high-nitrogen fertilizer 16-16-16 or 20-10-10 every 3-4 weeks. Organic options: fish emulsion, compost tea. Heavy feeders need steady nutrients.

Growth Duration

Collard greens are ready for harvest 60-85 days after planting, or when the leaves are 10-12 inches long. Regularly harvest outer leaves to encourage continuous production.

How To Trim

Harvest outer collard leaves regularly to promote continuous growth. Regular harvesting maintains plant vigor and productivity.

Growing Challenges

Wilting: Water regularly, avoid waterlogging. Pests (Aphids): Spray with soapy water or neem oil. Yellow Leaves: Ensure good drainage, moderate watering. Slow Growth: Use balanced fertilizer. Diseases (Clubroot): Ensure proper crop rotation, use fungicide.

Interesting Facts

Heading 1

Heading 2

Heading 3

Heading 4

Heading 5
Heading 6

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Block quote

Ordered list

  1. Item 1
  2. Item 2
  3. Item 3

Unordered list

  • Item A
  • Item B
  • Item C

Text link

Bold text

Emphasis

Superscript

Subscript

Blog
Collard Greens

Collard Greens

Collard greens are not only packed with nutrients, but they also happen to be the perfect addition to any cramped city balcony or fire escape garden. I have the secret to growing the greenest, most succulent collard greens. These tips will have your greens growing like weeds (in a good way!). You can turn even the tiniest of balconies into a collard green oasis.

Collard Greens

Here are the essential Collard Greens basics you need.

Sunlight Requirements

Collard greens require 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Indoors: Grow in large pots with bright light or hydroponically using grow lights for 12-14 hours.

Water Requirements

Keep the soil consistently moist, watering regularly. Indoors, monitor soil moisture frequently; outdoors, water regularly, especially during hot weather. Mulching helps retain moisture.

Temperature Tolerance

Collard greens are a cool weather crop and thrive in 45-85°F, ideally 60-75°F. Plant outdoors in March-May and August-September in NYC zone 7b. Indoors, maintain 60-75°F year-round.

Container Size

Indoors: 8-10" wide, 8" deep, 2 gallons; Outdoors: 12-14" wide, 12-14" deep, 5 gallons

Best Soil Mix

Collard greens prefer rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter, such as compost from vegetable peelings or well-rotted manure.

Fertilizing

Use balanced or high-nitrogen fertilizer 16-16-16 or 20-10-10 every 3-4 weeks. Organic options: fish emulsion, compost tea. Heavy feeders need steady nutrients.

Growth Duration

Collard greens are ready for harvest 60-85 days after planting, or when the leaves are 10-12 inches long. Regularly harvest outer leaves to encourage continuous production.

How To Trim

Harvest outer collard leaves regularly to promote continuous growth. Regular harvesting maintains plant vigor and productivity.

Growing Challenges

Wilting: Water regularly, avoid waterlogging. Pests (Aphids): Spray with soapy water or neem oil. Yellow Leaves: Ensure good drainage, moderate watering. Slow Growth: Use balanced fertilizer. Diseases (Clubroot): Ensure proper crop rotation, use fungicide.

The Many Varieties of Collard Greens

There are around 10-15 varieties of arugula gardeners commonly grow. One of the perks of growing arugula at home is the opportunity to experiment with different varieties that you won't find at the grocery store.

You can get a variety pack with 8 types of basil here.

Do you have any questions or requests? I'm here to help!

Subscribe
Join our newsletter to stay up to date on features and releases.
By subscribing you agree to with our Privacy Policy and provide consent to receive updates from our company.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
© 2024 Sky High Harest. All right reserved.