If you’re looking to add some nutritious and frost-tolerant greens to your vegetable garden, collard greens (Brassica oleracea L. subsp. acephala) might be just what you need. Packed with beneficial nutrients, these cooking greens can be grown well into the winter in some regions.
However, knowing when and how to harvest collard greens is crucial to getting the most out of your crop. As a short-term storage species, proper harvesting techniques can help you maximize the flavor and season of your collard greens.
When to Harvest Collard Greens
Collard greens are a delicious and nutritious addition to any meal, and it’s important to know when to harvest them to ensure that they are at their best. Here are some tips to help you determine when your collard greens are ready to be harvested:
Materials
- Mature collard greens plant
Timing
Collard greens typically take around 60 to 80 days to reach maturity when grown from seed, depending on the cultivar and the local climate. You can enjoy the seedlings as microgreens in as little as a couple of weeks, once the little leaves are fully formed. Because collard greens are at their most flavorsome and sweet when they are young and tender and when there’s a chill in the air, plan to sow the seeds in time for a spring or late fall harvest.
Harvesting
As soon as the leaves reach a sensible usable size, you can appreciate their delicious, earthy taste. You don’t want to wait too long to harvest the leaves, as old ones can taste a little tough and bitter. To harvest a full-head collard (the whole plant rather than individual leaves), wait until there are at least 16 to 20 mature leaves on the plant.
By following these simple guidelines, you can ensure that your collard greens are at their best when you harvest them. Enjoy the delicious flavor and nutritional benefits of this wonderful vegetable!
How to Harvest Collard Greens
Collard greens are a delicious and healthy addition to any meal. Harvesting them can be a bit tricky, but with the right techniques, you can have a fresh supply of leaves for all your meals throughout the growing season. Here are some tips on how to harvest collard greens.
Prepare the Collard Greens for Harvest
Before you start harvesting your collard greens, you need to prepare the plant. Chop off any flower buds that are starting to form on the top of the plant. This will help the plant focus all its energy on growing bigger, healthier, and more tasty leaves.
Determine When the Time is Right
When picking the right time to harvest your collard greens, look for leaves that are young, tender, and firm. You don’t want to wait too long to harvest your collard greens, otherwise, they will taste overly bitter and chewy.
Harvest Leaves as Plant Matures
To get the best results, follow these steps:
- Cut individual tender young leaves from the outside of the plant as needed.
- Harvest from low on the stem, working your way upwards as desired.
- Avoid cutting leaves from the center of the plant so that new growth continues.
- Take care not to damage the stem where new leaves are emerging.
- To remove the leaves, pull them downward sharply or use a sterile, sharp knife.
- Keep at least six leaves in the growing crown and water regularly so the plant continues to produce new tender leaves to harvest as the season progresses.
Or Harvest Entire Mature Plant
If you need lots of leaves for a big dinner party, you can harvest an entire young plant. And, if conditions are right, the crown might resprout, offering you an additional harvest before the season is over. To pick the whole plant:
- Do this when the plant is young for the best tenderness and taste.
- Ideally, don’t let the leaves grow to be more than 10 to 12 inches.
- Use sharp scissors to cut the plant off at the base of the stalk.
Store the Collard Greens
After harvesting your collard greens, it’s important to store them properly to maintain their freshness and flavor. Here are some techniques to follow:
- Wash the leaves to remove soil and other debris and pat dry.
- Wrap the leaves in damp paper towels. An additional optional step is to place the wrapped leaves in a perforated plastic bag.
- Put in the fridge, where they should stay fresh and retain the sweetest flavor for a few days to a week if they remain moist.
- If the humidity levels are high, there’s enough air circulation, and temperatures are around 30 to 35°F, the leaves can last for two weeks.
Tips for Harvesting and Storing Collard Greens
Here are some extra tips for storing and harvesting collard greens that can help you enjoy better flavor for longer:
- Don’t leave your harvested collard green leaves in heat and direct sunlight. Start the storage process within an hour or two to prevent wilting and damage.
- If you have an abundant harvest, try freezing some of the leaves to use out of season. Freeze immediately after washing to preserve the flavor. You can keep leaves for up to six months this way.
- Alternatively, try preserving these vegetables. Put the collard greens into a jar of water and boil in a pressure canner for one and a half hours. Store unopened in a cool, dark spot for up to a year.
By following these tips, you can harvest and store collard greens like a pro and enjoy their delicious flavor all season long.
