Can Collard Greens Be Grown in Containers?

Pot and Soil

• Use a 3- to 4-gallon pot that's about 12 inches in diameter for a single collard plant. A pot this size provides enough soil depth for the collards to produce healthy roots. All pots used for vegetable gardening must have at least one bottom drainage hole to prevent soggy soil conditions. Although any quality potting soil works well, a soilless potting mixture provides optimum moisture retention and is lightweight, which prevents compaction around the roots of the plant. Don't use garden soil for container-grown collards because it compacts too easily and may contain pest or disease organisms.

Planting Time

• Collards grow best in the cool season, so start your plants in early spring once daytime temperatures are regularly above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also grow collards as a fall crop by planting the containers in midsummer. Plant collard seeds directly in the pot, sowing them 1/4 inch deep, or purchase nursery seedlings to start your container garden. You can also start seeds indoors in smaller pots and transplant them to their permanent pot once they are 6 inches tall.

Location

• Place the pot in an area that receives full sunlight in the spring or fall months, depending on the growing season. Collards grow best with at least six hours of daily sun, so avoid areas shaded by buildings, trees or tall landscape plants. You may keep the plants producing all summer if you move the containers to an area with afternoon shade to protect them from the heat, but in spring and fall provide full sun. Areas on the south side of buildings provide full sunlight, but the proximity to the building provides wind and frost protection.

Water and Fertilization

• The potting mixture in containers dries more quickly than the soil in a garden bed. Check the mix daily and water when the top 1 to 2 inches feel dry. Collards may require two to three waterings a week in cool weather and up to twice daily watering once the temperatures begin to warm. Frequent watering flushes nutrients from the soil, which necessitates frequent fertilization to replace them. Feed the plant with a balanced soluble fertilizer every one to two weeks, diluting the fertilizer in water as recommended on the label for your pot size.