Crop Rotation Group
Brassicas (Cabbage family)
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Soil
Fertile, well-drained soil with plenty of well rotted compost dug in.
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Position
Full sun.
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Frost tolerant
Yes.
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Feeding
Not usually required, but may be needed if plants grow slowly even though the weather is comfortably warm.
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Companions
-
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Spacing
Single Plants: 11" (30cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 11" (30cm) with 1' 3" (40cm) row gap (minimum)
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Sow and Plant
Sow indoors in spring and set out under cloches when plants have 5 leaves. Start another planting indoors in midsummer, and set out in early fall.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
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Notes
The flavor of collards is improved by cool temperatures, so fall is the preferred time to grow this crop.
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Harvesting
Harvest leaves individually, when they are about the size of your hand.
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Troubleshooting
In warm weather, cabbageworms may feed on leaves. Exclude them with floating row covers. In cool weather, watch for outbreaks of gray-green cabbage aphids in leaf crevices. Pick off and compost badly infested leaves.
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