The popularity of Collards Plant is increasing in the UK because of its versatility and its nutritional value. It is grown throughout the year and is a hardy perennial that requires little maintenance and produces huge volumes of good quality leafy greens. The plants can tolerate both cold and dampness well and they do not really require any fertilizer except for liquid manure. This makes it ideal for people who live in drier regions or have smaller gardens and are unable to let their Collards Grow Well.
Collards are among the first varieties of cabbage to be used as a food source. In fact, many of the early cooks recommended them as a first course cooking vegetable for those following the path of vegetarian cuisine. However, recent research has shown that collard greens do not grow well if they are not exposed to a wide range of different light intensities and that they should be frozen or dried at temperatures around zero.
If you want to grow your own Collards, here are some care tips for starting seedlings. Make sure that you choose good quality seeds that are specifically bred for the type of climatic conditions you live in, particularly as far north as possible. Also remember that young seedlings should be given a sufficient number of watering breaks between waterings, and that you feed the plants once a day in the growing season and twice a week thereafter. For best results, try to cultivate the seeds just after the last frost in autumn, as this is when plant growth is most stimulated. You should also buy a balanced soil mix that can suit both traditional and organic growing and fertilize your new plants according to the package instructions.
As far as cooking is concerned, don’t overcook the collard greens, as excess moisture will give them a slimy, stringy texture that doesn’t taste very nice. Always add a little salt to the leaves when you are preparing them for roasting or frying, and always stir them while they are cooking to avoid losing their natural texture and flavor. If you are going to use them for salads, be careful not to add too much dressing to the greens, as this will spoil your efforts. It is also very important to dry the greens thoroughly before adding them to soups and other dishes. Once you have properly cared for your seedlings, keep them in an area where the sun can shine on them for prolonged periods, but not too much, as this will encourage plant diseases such as blight.
When it comes to harvesting your crop, you must be careful not to over-water the vegetables. They will keep on producing leaves till you let them go, and then they stop producing new leaves. For best results, keep them on a salad stand for their full course. As these gentle, sweet vegetables keep on producing leaves till the next year, you don’t have to worry if they do not produce as many new shoots next year as they did the year before, as the soil will be rich in nutrients and there will be enough of them to make them grow.
If you live in an area where frost occurs regularly, such as in Minnesota or other cold northern states, be sure to buy sprays that are made specifically for colder climates. These can be sprayed onto the soil before planting, or you can put the sprays on top of the soil once the collard greens are well into growth. The sprays will help the vegetables get through the frost and survive. They will also help prevent the sprouts from becoming too tall and stubby. If you live in a climate with mild winters, you will probably be able to enjoy your crops for up to a year with just a light hand, but be sure to stake your beds so they are well supported during colder months.