Cabbage was bredįrom wild cabbage to have the fat tight bud, so as to be storable through the winter. For this reason, Africans and Afroamericans often eat Collards while northern and eastern Europeans and their descendants far more familiar with cabbage. You can grow them in places like southern Georgia where it is too hot for cabbage. I don’t know why…they might actually have a bit of tropical blood in them. If you ever travel in Europe and get something that looks like salad greens but is a bit tougher and heartier than lettuce, and often fairly pretty shades of blue-green or purple, often with a ruffled leaf margin (varies from highly frilled toĬollards are very commonly eaten in the subtropics and tropical highlands, because they don’t bolt as easily as their domesticated cousin cabbage does. It is not commonly-eaten among the British, which is why they might use the word for something else. “Kale is commonly-eaten on the European continent, especially as you go further east where lettuce is harder to grow due to the severity of the climate. Although they are considered different species, there are no genetic barriers to crossing them. Kale is a more “salady” vegetable, often used as a winter salad green that is available over a longer season than lettuce. Collards are Brassica oleifera var acephala. “ In the UK, people tend to refer to what everybody else in the world calls “Collards” as “Kale”. DiBenedetto’s scholarly insights into collards and kale. This is an abridged version containing Mr. Image of Cussonia paniculata from Tower Hill Botanic GardenĪnd if you’re savvy enough to be asking yourself, “What’s the difference between Tree Collards and Walking Stick Kale?” Michael DiBenedetto elucidated this distinction in a 5/2/09 Gardenweb post. I’m envisioning an edible cussonia, although the tree collard may possibly fall short of a cussonia’s good looks. acephala, the mighty Tree Collard, a perennial. That’s 8 to 10 feet, with anecdotal reports of 20-year-old plants reaching heights of 20 feet! (And I’ll take mine braised, thank you very much.)īrassica oleracea var.

Contact your local county extension agent if you suspect you have a problem.(Plant label: “Tree Collards. Using larger transplants helps reduce damage. Only 1/4 inch long, white, and very active, they eat the root hairs of developing plants. Symphylans: In some areas of the US, symphylans (also known as garden centipede) can severely impede the plant growth of many crops. Using floating row covers such as Summer Insect Barrier can also provide control. Early control is essential to minimize the damage. Flea beetles: Flea beetles chew tiny pinholes in leaves. Using Reemay or Summer Insect Barrier can also provide control. Broadcast the bran mixture around the base of plants. For heavy infestations, bait cabbage worms by mixing wheat bran into a B.t. To control light infestations, spray plants with Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.). They lay their yellowish-colored eggs on the undersides of leaves, which hatch into caterpillars that can cause severe root and head damage. Cabbage worms, loopers, and root maggots: The first sign of cabbage worms will be off-white butterflies fluttering near the plants. Also, select varieties that mature later in the season when aphid populations decline. Store at 36☏ and 95% relative humidity Brassica Insect Information Aphids: Control aphids with ladybugs or a hard spray of water or Pyrethrin.Cool weather and frost brings out best flavor.Harvest leaves from the bottom up at any size.Disease prevention: Dispose of diseased material, proper crop rotation of 3-4 years, apply Zonix for mildews Harvest & Storage.Common diseases: Leaf spot, black rot, fungal diseases, mold, mildew, club root.Common insects: See Brassica Insect Information below.Start May-July for transplanting June-August for a fall crop Insects & Diseases.Work in 1/2 cup of TSC's Complete fertilizer around each plant.Start indoors 4-6 weeks before anticipated transplant date.

Sow June-July for a fall crop Transplanting.

Cover seed with loose soil, vermiculite, or sifted compost and water evenly.

In wet climates, ensure adequate plant spacing to reduce pest and disease issues Direct Sowing.

Collards are a cool-season crop that performs best in spring and fall.

Days to maturity are calculated from date of transplant. This nutrient is said to limit neuronal damage in the brain, aiding in the prevention, or delaying onset of Alzheimer's disease. Brassica oleracea, Acephala Group Collards are among the best vegetable sources of vitamin K.

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