Vernalization is required for collards to bolt (become reproductive) therefore planting anytime during the growing season will result in pure vegetative growth. Vernalization is a prolonged cold special that triggers a species genetic code within the plant to start reproducing. This is important because the longer a species stays in the vegatative stage, the more total biomass production potential. In fact you could plant collards in the spring and it they will continue to grow through that next spring before trying to reproduce. Collards growing point is protected close to the surface making for excellent regrowth potential after grazing. Premium forage produced by collard ranks it above many other options on the current market place in CP and digestibility.
When is the right time to plant? Compare the germination temperature listed below to your soil temperature. Read this article for more info: When Can I Start Planting?
| Basic Info | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maturity (Days) | Seeds/lb | C/N at Maturity | Growth Habit | Root Type/Depth | Cold Kill (F) | Dry Matter Potential(Tons/acre) |
| PPS | 175000 | Low | Prostrate | Medium Taproot | 5 | 3 - 4 |
| Use and Characteristics | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N Fix Potential | Lasting Residue | Palatability | Hay Harvest | Regrowth | Deep Compaction | Surface Compaction | Weed Suppression | Crimp Kill |
| Poor | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Very Good | Moderate | |
| Planting | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Plant Depth | Min Germ Temp(F) | Drilled Seed Rate (lbs/acre) | Broadcast Seed Rate (lb/acre) |
| 1/4 - 1/2" | 40 | 6-8 | 10-15 |
| Tolerance | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat | Drought | Shade | Wet Soil | Low Fertility | Low pH Soil | High pH Salinity | High pH Calcareous |
| Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Good | Good | Fair | Good |