... To get around this harvest the leaves individually and allow the very center of the plant to continue growing and expanding. “Collard greens are not part of my culinary heritage. How to Grow Collard Greens. • Harvest summer collard greens before bolting can occur • Store your harvested collard greens in the refrigerator for up to a week; you can also can, dry or freeze collards . And you’ll want to plant collards in February, March, August, […] 2 August 2013, written by Barbara Pleasant. Harvest collard greens growing in summer before bolting can occur. They are fundamental to Southern food, because they are nutritious and pretty convenient to grow. Growing mustard greens successfully requires the right kind of soil. While 60 to 75 days is an average harvest time for growing collard greens to reach maturity, the leaves can be picked at any time they are of edible size from the bottom of the large, inedible stalks. In Georgia, you can harvest or buy local collards every month but July, August, and September. Culinary use East Africa. When harvested long before maturity, collards and other leafy greens are delicate, tender, and will cook in a matter of just a few short minutes. Storing and preserving. How to Grow and Cook Collard Greens. Knowing when to plant collard greens leads to the most productive crop. (But there are other kinds of greens, too.) Collard greens are a famous staple of Southern cuisine that are beginning to be recognized as a treat in other areas. The plants are fairly easy to grow and do well in cool weather. Complete the harvest before the first hard freeze. Mustard greens prefer full sun, but some varieties can also handle part shade. This is especially true if you are growing the plants to harvest young greens. Varieties. Collards are greens, greens are collards. Collards can be frozen, canned, or dried. Sun and Temperature Requirements. They prefer a pH between 6.0-7.5 and soil that is well-drained, sandy and fertile. Collard greens are known as sukuma wiki in Tanzania and Kenya. Collard greens are rich sources (20% or more of DV) of vitamin A, vitamin C, and manganese, and moderate sources of calcium and vitamin B6. Collard Varieties to Grow. Collards can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week or in a cold moist place for 2 to 3 weeks. Also see: How to Harvest and Store Collards. I was born and raised in the South, where collards are more familiar than closely-related kale, a mainstay in northern gardens. Even though frost lends collards a sweeter taste, you'll risk losing your plants if the temperatures stay below freezing for long periods. Collard (Brassica oleracea) is a brassica vegetable, related to cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.