Collard greens are a southern comfort food packed full of nutrients. These cruciferous vegetables are from the same family as, Bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and kale. Collar microgreens contain large amounts of vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and iron.
You can expect the following benefits from regular consumption of collard microgreens:
Collard microgreens are easy to grow and can be harvested within 10 to 12 days of planting these delicious and nutritious greens. The dark green color and fresh, collard green flavor are delicious in a variety of dishes.
Are you interested in growing collard microgreens? Our easy-to-read chart helps you quickly identify the important information you need for planting, growing, and harvesting micro collard greens.
| Attribute | Profile |
| Flavor | Collard microgreens have an intense, fresh collard green flavor that you will love. |
| Pre-Soak (Yes/No) | Presoaking is not needed for collard microgreen seeds. |
| Color | Collard microgreens have a dark green color that is beautiful on sandwiches, garnishes, and salads. |
| Germination Time | Collard microgreens will germinate in 1 to 2 days after planting. |
| Harvest Time | You can expect to harvest your collard microgreens within 10 to 12 days of planting. |
| Green Thumb Level (1-5) | 1-2 – Collard microgreens are easy to grow and can be grown in soil or hydroponically. |
Collard microgreens provide you with a crunchy fresh taste that is great in a variety of dishes. As a member of the Brassica family, micro collard greens provide numerous health benefits and are super easy to grow.
If you are considering growing collard microgreens, you may have questions. Here is a list of the frequently asked questions about collard microgreens.
No – Collard microgreens will not regrow after harvesting.
Collard microgreens are very fast growing. These microgreens germinate within 1 to 2 days and are ready to harvest within 10 to 12 days.
You can grow collard microgreens both hydroponically or in the soil.
You will need approximately 1.2 ounces of collard microgreen seeds for each 10 inch by 20 inch growing tray.
Collard microgreens have a higher nutrient count and have a more intense flavor than full-grown collard greens.
Growing microgreens requires a small investment; however, you will reap great rewards in terms of value and nutrition. Our microgreen growing method described below will help ensure you are able to harvest a large crop of delicious micro collard greens.
Retailers like True Leaf Market and Amazon offer starter kits that provide you with the equipment that you need to grow microgreens. A deluxe microgreen kit provides you with the growing medium, growing trays, and misting bottle you will need to grow collard microgreens.
You can also purchase individual pieces of equipment for growing collard microgreens. Here are the recommended pieces of equipment you will need to purchase.
The first thing you will need to purchase for growing collard microgreens is the growing medium. The growing medium will ensure that your micro Collard greens stay properly hydrated. You have several options when it comes to growing mediums for collard greens.
Coconut Coir is our preferred growing medium. This growing medium helps maintain moisture levels, provides the optimal growing medium for collard greens, and is made from coconuts, which means it is a totally renewable growing medium.
Seed starting soil is another growing medium that can be used for growing micro collard greens. Seed starting soil is fine-grained and provides your collard microgreens with the nutrients they need for optimal germination and growth.
You will need three trays for your collard microgreens – two without holes and one with holes. You will use one tray with holes and one tray without holes for the bottom. In addition to this, you will use the other tray without holes for the top. We recommend using 1- inch by 20 inch growing trays; however, there are other sized growing trays available that can be used.
With Holes – The one growing tray with holes will hold your growing medium and seeds. This growing tray will allow you to water your micro collard greens from the bottom up, which can reduce the risk of soilborne illnesses and diseases.
Without Holes – The two growing trays without holes are used for the top and the bottom of your germination chamber. The bottom tray will hold the water needed for bottom watering. The top tray will block out light during the germination process.
A simple misting bottle allows you to easily keep the growing medium moist without overwatering or disturbing your collard microgreen seeds.
Microgreens do best when you use a full spectrum grow light. A grow light will ensure your collard microgreens are healthy, grow consistently, and turn the beautiful dark green you have come to know and love.
The optimal temperature for germination is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. A heating mat will help maintain the soil temperature to improve the germination rate of your collard microgreens.
A planting rack is used to hold multiple trays of microgreens, circulation fans, and grow lights. Using a planting rack allows you to utilize the vertical space in an area in your home to maximize your ability to grow several trays of microgreens at one time.
Circulation fans are used to increase the airflow across your microgreens, which can help reduce the risk of mold.
Vates – Vates Collard microgreen seeds provide a true brassica flavor. The germination rate of these seeds is high. You can expect your microgreen seeds to germinate within a couple of days, and you can be enjoying collard microgreens in less than 2 weeks. These easy to grow micro collard greens are extremely flavorful and offer a load of nutrients.
Our easy-to-understand and easy-to-follow step-by-step growing guide for collard microgreens will ensure that you can easily grow and harvest collard microgreens. We walk you through the process from beginning to end. You will learn how to prepare your growing trays, how to plant collard microgreen seeds, how collard microgreens germinate, how to grow micro collard greens, how to harvest collard microgreens, and how to store collard microgreens.
The first thing you must do is to prepare your growing trays for collard microgreens. Begin by placing the growing tray with holes inside a growing tray without holes. This setup allows you to water from the bottom, which can reduce the risk of mold, powdery mildew, and other soilborne diseases.
Once you have prepared your growing trays, it is time to add the soil and prepare for sowing collard microgreen seeds. Fill the grow tray with holes almost to the top with the growing medium, ensuring the growing medium is level from side to side. Use the remaining growing tray and gently press down to level the soil. If necessary, add more soil until the soil is slightly below the top of the tray.
Once you have filled your collard microgreen trays with soil, you will want to water your growing medium so that it is ready for the seeds. You can use your misting bottle to thoroughly water your soil from the top down, or you can water from the bottom up. If using the misting bottle, wet the soil thoroughly (approximately 10 squirts across the tray and allow it to soak in for 5 minutes, repeating the process five times to ensure the soil is amply moistened. If you decide to water from the bottom up, lift your tray with holes up slightly and add an inch or two of water to the bottom tray. Replace the tray and allow the soil to soak up the water for approximately 30 minutes.
You will need approximately 1 ounce of seeds for each 10 inch by 20 inch microgreen growing tray. Sow the seeds evenly across the entire surface of your grow tray. Then, gently press down to help set the seeds in the soil. Finally, sprinkle a small amount of soil atop your collard microgreen seeds and press the soil atop the collard microgreen seeds.
Once you have planted the seeds, you will need to water them before placing the germination tray atop the seeds. Grab your misting bottle and spray 10 sprays across the entire surface of the tray. The fine mist of water ensures the soil and seeds are properly moistened without disturbing them. This is why you should only water using a misting bottle during this step.
After you have watered the seeds and soil, it is time to place the remaining tray atop the seeds and soil. Invert the tray and place a brick or heavy stone atop the third tray. The weighted-down inverted tray ensures that your seeds remain in total darkness during the germination process.
When seeds are planted in soil, the soil is placed atop the seeds, which blocks out all traces of light. When sowing microgreens in growing trays, only a small amount of soil is placed on top of the seeds. The inverted tray allows you to keep your collard microgreen seeds in complete darkness. Once you have placed the inverted tray atop your seeds, place the tray in a dark place like an unused closet.
Your collard microgreens must remain in complete darkness until during the germination process. Once your collard microgreens have germinated, you will remove the blackout tray and place your collard microgreens under the LED full spectrum grow lights.
Place your micro collard greens approximately 12 inches away from the grow lights and turn the lights on. Within just a few days, your pale, white collard greens will turn a beautiful dark green as photosynthesis occurs. Your collard microgreens will remain under these grow lights until your micro collards are ready to be harvested.
One of the main things you can do to reduce the risk of mildew, mold, and other soilborne diseases is to use circulation fans. These fans increase airflow to your collard greens. Attach the circulation fans to the side of your planting rack and allow the air to blow horizontally across the microgreens rather than down on the plants.
Knowing when to harvest your collard microgreens is of vital importance. Most people find that the easiest way to determine the appropriate time for harvesting is to begin sampling collard microgreens as soon as the two cotyledons form and the first set of true leaves form.
Taste a small amount of collard microgreens daily until they develop the color, texture, and flavor you desire. Then, withhold water from your micro collard greens for 8 to 12 hours to ensure your collard microgreens remain crisp after harvest.
When it is time to harvest collard microgreens, you will need a clean paper towel or plate and a pair of sharp scissors or a sharp knife. Gently grasp the collard greens in one hand and cut the stem near the soil level, placing the freshly harvested micro collard greens on a clean paper towel.
The next step will depend on whether you plan on eating the collard microgreens immediately or storing the collard microgreens. If you will be eating the microgreens immediately, you will want to wash your microgreens. Conversely, if you will be storing the collard microgreens, you will not wash your microgreens. Instead, you will go to the next step and wash the microgreens when you are ready to eat them.
Washing your microgreens is simple. Fill a large bowl with cool, not cold water. Place the collard microgreens in the water and swirl to remove any dirt. Then, lay the freshly washed microgreens on a clean paper towel and allow the collards to dry before using.
Collard microgreens will store in the refrigerator for a week to ten days when they are properly stored. If you plan on storing or shipping collard microgreens, follow these directions as soon as you harvest your micro collard greens.
Microgreens must be stored in a cold refrigerator to maintain their crispness. Wrap the microgreens loosely in a clean paper towel and place them in an airtight storage bag or storage bowl. Place the storage container in the crisper drawer until you are ready to eat them. You will then remove them from the refrigerator and follow the instructions listed above on how to wash your collard microgreens.
Collard microgreens are delicious and filled with vital nutrients that help promote health and wellness. Micro collard greens can be enjoyed in soups, salads, or sandwiches. They are easy to grow and provide you with the perfect accompaniment to your favorite southern dish.
