Collards were first mentioned by Europeans during the first, third and fourth centuries. Gardeners in colonial America wrote about collards. Collards are also called tree cabbage.

Plant in early spring for a summer harvest and in mid-summer for a fall harvest. Collards can survive frosts.

Sow the seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Thin seedlings to six inches apart and let them grow until plants begin to touch. Thin out the collards to 18 inches between plants.

Provide moisture during the hot, summer weather.

All green parts of collards are edible and can be harvested anytime. Harvest by picking the larger leaves when the plants are 10 to 12 inches tall. This method of harvesting allows the younger leaves to continue to grow for later use. Collards grow from seed to harvest in 60 - 75 days.