Tips for Growing Collard Greens in Winter
While freezing temperatures and a snow-covered ground may signal the main growing season is over, it doesn’t have to mean the end of fresh garden greens.
Collard greens in particular thrive in cold weather, which is lucky for me, since there isn’t much I enjoy more than sizzling up a pan of fresh homegrown collards in some garlic butter.
We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Read on to learn how to keep collard greens growing strong after a frost.
Will Frost Kill Collard Greens?Collards, Brassica oleracea var. acephala, are the most cold hardy of all the Brassica species.
These members of the Brassicaceae family are incredibly frost tolerant and can survive temperatures down to the upper teens.
In fact, frost actually improves their taste as cold temperatures trigger the plant to convert the starches in the foliage to sugars which produces a sweeter flavor and a more tender texture.
However, a hard freeze will kill the plants – but there are steps you can take to protect them.
This incredibly hardy crop can continue to be harvested even after the leaves have frozen, which makes them an ideal choice to plant for a dose of healthy greens in the colder months.
How to Grow Collards for a Winter HarvestCollards are a biennial that typically overwinter in USDA Hardiness Zones 8-10, though in a mild year they may even survive in colder zones unassisted.
I once grew collard greens in my Zone 6 garden that survived through the winter without protection and resumed growth the next year!
If you live in a warm climate, the best time to plant is in fall for a harvest throughout the winter months. For best results,
Read more on gardenerspath.com