Propagate by seed

Germination temperature: 45 F to 85 F - Will germinate at soil temperatures as low as 40 F.

Days to emergence: 4 to 7

Seed can be saved 4 years.

Direct seed about three months before expected fall frost. Plant seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep, 1 inch apart in rows 18 to 30 inches apart. Thin to 12- to 18-inch spacings. Eat or transplant thinnings.

For spring crops, start plants inside about 8 weeks before the last frost, and transplant when they are about 6 weeks old. Set transplants 12 inches apart, rows 18 to 24 inches apart.

Plant direct-seeded crops 1/2 inch deep and 3 inches apart 3 weeks before last frost. Thin to 12 to 18 inches apart.

Mulch overwintering plants.

Collards don't seem to be as troubled by pests as most other cole crops. Use floating row covers to help protect from early insect infestations.

To help reduce disease, do not plant collards or other cole crops in the same location more than once every three or four years.

Cutworm
Cabbage loopers
Cabbageworms
Flea beetles
Cabbage root maggots
Cabbage aphids
Slugs and snails
Nematodes

Usually not as susceptible to pest damage as other cole crops.

Clubroot
Black rot
Black leg
Alternaria

To help reduce disease, do not plant kale or other cole crops in the same location more than once every three or four years.

Browse collards varieties at our Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners website.

Choices are usually limited in seed catalogs. Some varieties form loose heads.

Some varieties recommended for New York include:

Champion
Blue Max -- hybrid
Georgia Green