Collard Greens 'Georgia Southern' Growing Tool

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Collard Greens 'Georgia Southern' in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Collard Greens 'Georgia Southern' · Zones 6–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained soil, tolerates poor soils better than most brassicas

pH6.0-7.5

Water1-1.5 inches per week, drought tolerant when established

SeasonCool season, but heat tolerant

FlavorMild when young, earthy and slightly bitter when mature, sweet after frost

ColorBlue-green with thick leaves

Size8-12 inch leaves

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 6	February – March	March – April	March – April	May – October
Zone 7	January – March	March – April	March – September	May – December
Zone 8	January – February	February – March	February – October	April – January
Zone 9	December – February	January – March	January – November	March – February
Zone 10	October – January	November – February	October – February	December – April

Complete Growing Guide

Start your Georgia Southern collards by preparing a sunny to partially shaded site with well-draining soil. Unlike other brassicas, these tough plants tolerate poor soils remarkably well, though they'll reward you with bigger leaves in amended ground. Work in 2-3 inches of compost if your soil is heavy clay or pure sand.

For fall harvest (the traditional Southern way), direct sow seeds in late July through August in zones 7-9, or late August through early September in zones 3-6. Plant seeds ¼ inch deep and 2 inches apart in rows 18-24 inches apart. You can also start transplants indoors 4-6 weeks before your target planting date using a quality seed starting mix.

When transplanting, space plants 12-18 inches apart after hardening off for a week. Georgia Southern handles transplant shock better than most brassicas, but avoid disturbing roots unnecessarily. Plant slightly deeper than the seedling was growing in its pot to encourage strong stem development.

Feed with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at planting, then side-dress with nitrogen-rich fertilizer every 3-4 weeks once plants are established. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen late in the season, as this can reduce cold tolerance and make leaves too tender for traditional cooking methods.

Maintain consistent soil moisture but avoid overhead watering, which encourages bacterial diseases. A 2-3 inch mulch layer helps retain moisture and suppress weeds that compete with your collards' shallow root system.

Common mistakes include planting too early in hot weather (wait for soil temperatures below 85°F), overcrowding plants, and harvesting too aggressively early in the season. For maximum yield, resist harvesting until plants are well-established, then take only the lower leaves to keep the growing point productive through winter.

Harvesting

Begin harvesting Georgia Southern collards when outer leaves reach 8-10 inches long, typically 60-75 days from sowing. Look for deep blue-green leaves that feel substantial and leathery rather than thin and tender. The best visual cue is when leaves develop their characteristic thick, prominent white midrib.

Always harvest in early morning when leaves are crisp and full of moisture. Start with the lowest, oldest leaves by grasping the stem near the base and twisting while pulling downward with a slight snapping motion. Properly harvested leaves should break cleanly without tearing the stem tissue.

Never take more than 3-4 leaves per plant per harvest session, and always leave at least 6-8 younger leaves in the center to keep the plant growing. The growing tip should remain completely intact. After the first frost, leaves become noticeably sweeter and more tender, making this the premium harvest time for traditional Southern preparations. Plants can continue producing for 4-6 months with proper harvesting technique.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Georgia Southern collards keep best when stored unwashed in perforated plastic bags in your refrigerator's crisper drawer at 32-40°F with high humidity. They'll maintain quality for 7-10 days, longer than most other greens.

For freezing, blanch clean, chopped leaves in boiling water for 2 minutes, then plunge into ice water. Drain thoroughly and pack in freezer bags for up to 12 months. The thick leaves freeze exceptionally well and maintain their structure for traditional braised dishes.

Fermenting is another excellent preservation method—chop leaves and pack in salt brine (2% by weight) for a tangy, probiotic-rich condiment similar to sauerkraut. Properly fermented collards keep 6+ months refrigerated. You can also dehydrate young, tender leaves for adding to soups and stews year-round, though this works best with leaves harvested before the first frost when they're less bitter.

History & Origin

Georgia Southern collards represent one of the oldest continuously grown vegetable varieties in the American South, with genetic lineage tracing back to wild cabbages brought by European colonists in the 1600s. The variety was developed through generations of selection by Southern farmers and enslaved people who recognized its exceptional heat tolerance and ability to produce food year-round when other crops failed.

By the 1800s, 'Georgia Southern' had become the standard collard variety across the Deep South, particularly prized for its ability to withstand both summer heat and winter cold that would kill other brassicas. The variety's cultural significance extends far beyond gardening—it became a cornerstone of Southern cuisine and African American foodways, often called 'the poor man's medicine' for its exceptional nutritional density.

This heirloom was formally recognized and preserved by Southern Exposure Seed Exchange and other heritage seed companies in the 1980s, ensuring its genetic stability for future generations. Today, it remains the benchmark against which all other collard varieties are measured for authenticity in traditional Southern cooking.

Advantages

+Exceptional heat tolerance allows summer growing when other brassicas bolt immediately
+Improves dramatically in flavor after frost, becoming sweet and tender
+Produces continuously for 4-6 months with proper harvesting technique
+Tolerates poor, clay, or sandy soils better than any other brassica variety
+Large, substantial leaves perfect for traditional braising and long cooking methods
+Outstanding cold hardiness survives temperatures down to 10°F with minimal protection
+Naturally resistant to bolting even in temperature fluctuations

Considerations

-Young leaves can be too bitter for raw consumption compared to modern varieties
-Requires 60-85 days to reach harvest size, longer than quick-growing Asian greens
-Large mature plants need 12-18 inch spacing, reducing yield per square foot
-Susceptible to cabbage worms that can quickly defoliate plants if not controlled
-Leaves become tough and fibrous if allowed to overmature past prime harvest window

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cabbage worms, repels cucumber beetles

Marigolds

Repels cabbage moths, aphids, and other brassica pests with strong scent

Onions

Repels cabbage worms, aphids, and flea beetles that commonly attack collards

Garlic

Deters cabbage loopers and aphids, improves overall plant health

Dill

Attracts beneficial wasps that parasitize cabbage worms and aphids

Carrots

Deep roots don't compete with shallow collard roots, helps break up soil

Lettuce

Grows in collard shade, efficient space usage, similar water needs

Spinach

Compatible growth habits, harvested before collards need full space

Keep Apart

Tomatoes

Compete for nutrients, tomatoes may inhibit collard growth through allelopathy

Strawberries

Different water and nutrient requirements, may stunt collard growth

Pole Beans

Can shade collards excessively and compete for nitrogen

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to heat stress and bolting

Common Pests

Cabbage worms, flea beetles, aphids, harlequin bugs

Diseases

Black rot, clubroot, downy mildew, bacterial leaf spot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Georgia Southern collards take to grow?▼

Georgia Southern collards typically take 60-85 days from seed to first harvest. You can begin harvesting outer leaves when they reach 8-10 inches long, usually around 60 days, while continuing to harvest from the same plants for 4-6 months with proper care and harvesting technique.

Can you grow Georgia Southern collards in containers?▼

Yes, Georgia Southern collards grow well in containers at least 12 inches deep and 16 inches wide. Use quality potting mix and ensure consistent watering since containers dry out faster. Container plants may produce smaller leaves but will still provide excellent harvests for 3-4 months.

When should I plant Georgia Southern collards?▼

Plant Georgia Southern collards in late summer (July-August in zones 7-9, August-September in zones 3-6) for fall and winter harvest. You can also plant in early spring 4-6 weeks before last frost, but fall-planted crops develop better flavor and cold tolerance.

What does Georgia Southern collards taste like?▼

Georgia Southern collards have a mild, slightly earthy flavor when young, becoming more robust and slightly bitter as leaves mature. After frost exposure, they develop a notably sweet, mellow taste that's perfect for traditional Southern braising with bacon or ham hocks.

Is Georgia Southern collards good for beginners?▼

Yes, Georgia Southern is excellent for beginning gardeners. It tolerates poor soil, irregular watering, and temperature fluctuations better than most vegetables. The main requirement is patience—wait 60+ days for harvest and don't over-harvest early in the growing season.

Georgia Southern vs Champion collards - what's the difference?▼

Georgia Southern is an open-pollinated heirloom with exceptional heat and cold tolerance but slower growth, while Champion is a hybrid that matures faster with more tender leaves. Georgia Southern develops superior flavor after frost and produces for longer periods, making it better for traditional Southern cooking.