How to Transplant Collard Green Plants

Collard greens are a variety of non-heading lettuce. Cold tolerant, they continue to grow after many other greens have died or gone dormant in winter. They are often used in place of cabbage or as a cooked green in the kitchen. Collard are grown in two crops---in the spring before the weather warms up and again in the fall for a late season crop. When growing in the spring, start collard greens indoors four weeks before the last expected frost date in your area, so they are ready to transplant in the garden once the soil warms up enough.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spade

Transplanting Collard Green Plants

1. Transplant seedlings once the soil temperature has warmed to 45 degrees Fahrenheit and can be worked easily. Transplant only healthy collard green plants that have produced their third set of leaves.

2. Set seedlings outside on a patio or another location where they are protected from wind and direct sunlight. Leave them outside for two hours the first day, then gradually increase the time spent outdoors each day until they spend the full day outside on the seventh day.

3. Dig planting holes in the garden bed that are the same depth as the nursery pots the collard seedlings are grown in. Make the hole about a half inch wider than the nursery pot. Space holes 18 to 24 inches apart in rows that are 36 inches apart.

4. Tap the pot on all sides with your fingers to loosen it. Grasp the plant gently by the stem where it emerges from the soil and pull the pot away.

5. Set the soil and root ball of the collard green into the planting hole, ensuring it is planted at the same height it was at in the pot. Fill in the hole with soil and firm it around the plant.

6. Water the bed lightly, providing just enough water to moisten the soil without soaking it. Continue watering weekly as needed to keep the soil moist.

Tips & Warnings

• Fall seeds are planted directly in the garden 80 days before the first fall frost is expected.
• Side dress the collard greens with a nitrogen rich fertilizer to encourage lush leaf growth.
• Collard greens can be direct-seeded in the garden for spring, but they will not sprout until the soil temperature reaches 45 degrees.
• Plant collard greens in a weed-free bed and cultivate it frequently to prevent weeds. Collard greens do not grow well when competing with weeds for soil nutrients.

References

• Texas A&M Extension