Should I Plant Collard Seeds in Miracle Grow Organic Material?

Collard

• Collard is a green leafy biennial vegetable that thrives in a wide range of growing conditions. Collard taste is improved when grown and harvested in the cool months of the year. Its seeds germinate and thrive in fertile soil with organic compost or animal manure worked into a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Plant seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep. Collards planted in autumn are harvested 6 to 8 weeks later.

Soil Amendments

• Collard seeds planted with commercial soil additives such as Miracle Gro planting material may contain high amounts of nitrogen, which unbalances the soil food web populations that create food nutrients. Excessive nitrogen in soil enters the waterways and pollutes aquatic eco-systems, according to the World Resources Institute. Natural topsoil contains 15 nutrients in addition to nitrogen to provide balanced growth for collards and all plant life. Backyard compost contains all nutrients needed to grow collards.

Soil Amendment Labels

• "Organic Choice" on a soil amendment label does not legally reflect a product that adheres to organic growing standards. Scotts Miracle Gro Organic Choice plant material is certified by The Mulch and Soil Council (MSC), which encourages uniform terminology on products. Its voluntary certification program does use guidelines established by the USDA National Organic Program. Animal manure, plant products and waste materials in MSC certified soil amendments may be derived from sources that use synthetic chemicals in their production.

Homemade Compost Soil Additive

• Backyard compost is easily made from yard waste, grass clippings, kitchen waste and some paper products. Arrange materials in green nitrogen-rich and brown carbon-rich layers in a compost bin or pile. Water and oxygen start the chemical process of decomposition, which results in finished compost in 3 to 6 months. Use mature compost as a soil additive to provide adequate nutrients for collard seeds to germinate and thrive.