When to Harvest Collard Greens: Leaf Size Plus Bottom Up
When to harvest collard greens hinges on leaf size and position. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions says to harvest leaves when they are young, about 10 to 12 inches long, before they become tough and woody. Choose older leaves on the outer rim so the center can grow.
The short answer
Harvest collard greens when leaves reach about 10 to 12 inches long, before they turn tough and woody. UF/IFAS says to snip older outer leaves first so new growth comes from the center. University of Minnesota Extension says collards stay productive well beyond the first fall frosts, so picking can run for months.
How big should collard leaves be?
UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions says to harvest collard leaves when they are young, about 10 to 12 inches long. Waiting longer lets them become tough and woody.
University of Minnesota Extension says to harvest single leaves as soon as they reach a usable size.
Smaller picks also work. Minnesota says baby leaves can be taken while most small leaves stay on the plant.
Why pick from the bottom?
The oldest leaves are the lowest. UF/IFAS says to choose the older ones on the outer rim to allow new growth from the center.
NC State Extension offers the same advice for kale. Pick the big outer leaves and let the center continue to grow.
Minnesota says baby leaf picking allows multiple harvests before plants exhaust their resources.
| Start | Days to harvest | Leaf cue |
|---|---|---|
| Seed | 70 to 90 | 10 to 12 inches |
| Transplant | 50 to 70 | 10 to 12 inches |
| Baby leaves | Early | Small leaves |
Source: UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions plus University of Minnesota Extension.
How long can collards be picked?
UF/IFAS says collards grown from seed are generally ready in 70 to 90 days. Transplants take about 50 to 70 days.
Staggered sowing extends the season. UF/IFAS suggests planting every couple of weeks for continuous harvest over many months.
Minnesota says collards are cold tolerant and continue producing new leaves well beyond the first fall frosts.
How to: step by step
- Note the sowing or transplant date.
- Check plants from about 50 days after transplanting.
- Look for lower leaves near 10 to 12 inches.
- Snip the oldest outer leaves first.
- Leave the center to grow.
- Repeat as new leaves size up.
Troubleshooting
Tough, woody leaves: picked too late. Harvest at 10 to 12 inches.
Slow regrowth: center damaged. Pick only outer leaves.
Swollen roots plus stunting: clubroot. Rotate away from cole crops.
For related reading see when to harvest outdoor cannabis, cannabis leaf anatomy plus frost damage on cannabis. Kind Seed Co also stocks cannabis seeds.
Sources
- Growing collards plus kale in home gardens, University of Minnesota Extension
- Collards, UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions
- Kale, NC State Extension
- Food garden design, NC State Extension
FAQ
What does frost do to collard leaves?
UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions says frosts can convert starches in collard leaves into sugar. It suggests picking during cold months, after the first frost. University of Minnesota Extension says collards are cold tolerant and continue to grow and produce new leaves well beyond the first fall frosts.
Can collards be harvested all winter?
In mild areas, yes. UF/IFAS says to plant collards outdoors in fall and winter in Florida, from September into the following spring in the north of the state. It calls collards a rewarding winter harvest. Minnesota Extension says leaves can be picked straight from the garden even after they have frozen.
Can whole plants be cut?
Yes. University of Minnesota Extension says you can remove the whole plant by cutting it off at or just before the soil surface. That ends the harvest from that plant. Picking single outer leaves instead allows multiple harvests before the plant exhausts its resources, so choose based on how long you want it to produce.
How far apart should collards grow?
UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions says to space collard plants about 12 to 24 inches apart so they can reach full size. University of Minnesota Extension says plants grown only for baby leaves can sit as close as four inches apart in the row. Wider spacing suits plants you plan to pick for months.
Which collard varieties regrow quickly?
UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions says Top Bunch replenishes quickly after harvest. It also says Champion has improved cold tolerance and disease resistance. Either suits gardeners who pick outer leaves over a long season. Check days to harvest on the seed packet, since timing ranges from 50 to 90 days.
