All about collard greens

Collard greens are popular in Russia due to their unusual taste and non-standard texture. Presented in a variety of shapes and colors, it is actively used for the preparation of various snacks, salads and other dishes. It is worth getting to know the features of collard greens and how to grow and care for it.

Collard greens - or kale - is a plant that is also known by the names "brauncol", "bruncol" or "gruncol". A feature of the species is the large and juicy leaves, which were liked by the inhabitants of the coast of Europe and were actively consumed by them for food. Other cultural features:

• frost resistance;
• sweet taste of leaves;
• high content of vitamins and minerals.

Eating collard greens normalizes bowel function, as well as restores the lack of nutritional components in the body. The leaves of the species form rosettes of different heights: from vertical to spreading, feces do not give heads.

Collard greens are rich in different varieties. Breeders from different regions worked on the development of new subspecies of feces, which differ in color of leaves, curliness and size of rosettes. Common characteristics of varieties:

• bright appearance;
• the nutritional value;
• frost resistance.

Among the variety of varieties, it is worth highlighting several of the most popular, which are appreciated by gardeners in Russia.

The variety was bred by breeders from Holland, it is distinguished by a late ripening period and an unusual color of leaves, which acquire a dark purple hue during the growth process. The maximum rosette height is 80 cm, the total weight of the cabbage is 200-700 g. Among the advantages are:

• high yield, when up to 7 kg of leaves can be collected from one outlet;
• juicy and sweet taste;
• frost resistance without damage to sheet plates;
• the ability to use to decorate the landscape.

A hybrid from Holland with a mid-late ripening period forms semi-vertical rosettes, the total weight of which, depending on watering and feeding, ranges from 300 to 1400 g. Large leaves of a gray-green color are distinguished by pronounced corrugation, the maximum height of the variety reaches 80 cm. Pros:

• high yield with careful care;
• excellent indicators of frost resistance;
• decorativeness, which makes it possible to use cabbage to decorate the garden.

The hybrid takes root well in any soil, quickly forms leaves.

A variety of unusual shape, in the leaves of which a smooth center and corrugated edges are ideally combined. The cabbage got its name in honor of the Venetian artist. The plant is actively used not only for cooking various dishes, but also in medicine. Pros:

• great taste;
• cold resistance;
• decorativeness.

The average weight of an outlet reaches 500-1000 g with proper care. A medium-ripening variety will look good both in the garden and in the garden.

The variety is compact in size with a low and spreading rosette. During the growing season, forms large leaves of a dark green color with a lumpy surface and an unusual ebb. Among the pluses:

• high productivity;
• long ripening period;
• pleasant taste.

In appearance, Tuscany resembles Savoy cabbage.

A popular variety in the Nordic countries, it is resistant to low temperatures and undemanding to care. Gardeners appreciate cabbage for its high immunity to most popular pests and a long ripening period. Other pluses:

• large leaves;
• sweetish taste;
• long period of leaf formation.

A variety with large and juicy leaves of a pleasant green-lilac color, which darkens closer to frost and turns into inky purple. Scarlett forms rosettes up to 50 cm high, the leaves of the variety are rich in vitamins and other microelements. Pros:

• high productivity;
• excellent decorative properties;
• compact size.

Scarlett is suitable for growing both in the garden and in the garden as a decoration for a landscape composition.

Cabbage is famous for its "curly" leaves, the characteristic features of which are small thickness and softness. The plates are purple-violet, which makes the variety attractive to landscape designers. Pros:

• sprawling sockets;
• the use of cabbage as an antiseptic;
• frost resistance.

Low-rise outlets will look attractive in areas of all sizes. And also the varieties of Chinese pak choy and salad cabbage should be attributed to leafy.

The standard method for growing feces involves pre-planting seeds in prepared containers. The procedure is carried out approximately 2-2.5 months before planting seedlings in the ground, more often in mid-March. Landing scheme.

• The glasses where the seeds will be sown are pre-filled with soil and steamed coconut substrate.
• One seed is placed in each cell so that in the future the delicate roots of the plant do not injure each other.
• After 1-1.5 weeks, when the seeds germinate, the seedlings are placed in a sunlit place, where the temperature does not rise above 15 degrees Celsius. This is to prevent the sprouts from pulling out. If necessary, daylight hours are extended using phytolamps.

Collard greens belong to the cabbage family, so the requirements for growing are no different from those for working with other crops. You can plant cabbage both in open ground and in greenhouse conditions, but it is recommended to change the landing site over the years. Before planting ready-made seedlings in the ground, it is necessary to water the wells abundantly and move the cabbage into the "mud" that forms at the bottom.

Gardeners advise to deepen the seedlings until the first pair of leaves, after which it is necessary to fill the remaining space with soil, and water the culture again. When enough water has been absorbed, you can start mulching. The optimal time for transplanting seedlings is the first half of May, when the weather will be cool and cloudy outside. If necessary, you can plant cabbage on a sunny day, but in this case you will need to cover the sprouts with paper caps so as not to burn the material.

The dimensions of the rosette that the cabbage will form directly depends on the time of planting the seeds in the ground. Therefore, it is worth preparing in advance for sowing the soil:

• fertilize the soil;
• water thoroughly;
• loosen.

It is better to plant cabbage in sunny areas; it is recommended to plant seeds in the ground in the last days of March, keeping a distance of 2-2.5 meters. It is better to put several seeds at once in one hole, so that later you can remove weak seedlings.

Seedlings are planted in lighted areas with well-irrigated soil. At the same time, it is important to choose such a place so that there is no threat of stagnant water. Otherwise, drainage will need to be provided.

Seedlings are planted taking into account the distance between two seedlings of 50 cm. Young leaves can be consumed as they mature, and it is not necessary to completely remove the plant from the garden. It will be enough to cut off the formed sheet from the outlet, and a new one will appear in its place.

Collard greens are resistant to frost, undemanding to care. However, it is worth taking care of three main processes for obtaining a decent harvest: loosening, watering, feeding. It is worth considering in more detail the features of each.

During the growing season, this process should be given special attention. Gardeners advise at times to loosen the soil around the plants to prevent crust formation. In addition, regular hilling:

• will provide aeration of the roots;
• reduce moisture loss;
• will reduce the number of weeds.

Collard greens require timely and regular watering, an unstable cabbage can ruin the harvest or degrade the quality of the leaves, since the roots will not have enough moisture for the plant to develop. There are three ways of watering feces.

• Along the grooves. An option for watering a mature crop with an already formed root system that has developed. In young animals, it is necessary to water each root separately, filling the hole with water.
• Drip irrigation. The best option, since moisture is supplied constantly and evenly. The disadvantage of this method is the high cost of installing an irrigation structure.
• Sprinkling. A great way to water large areas. In small gardens, it is better to give preference to the second option.

The choice of watering method depends on the characteristics of the site, the volume of cabbage and the preferences of the gardener. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Cabbage needs fertilization for the development of large rosettes of large and tasty leaves. The main types of dressings:

• a mixture of humus and ash, which is best applied when planting seedlings;
• ash used to form strong rosettes;
• ash infusion, which acts as a top dressing for leaves;
• herbal infusions that increase the quality of the crop.

Weed weeds can be used for the preparation of the latter, nettle gives excellent indicators. To create such a mixture, you need to collect greens in a previously prepared container, fill it with warm water, cover with a tight lid and leave for 2-3 days. After the expiration date, a strong odor will appear. When the solution is ready, it remains to decant it, dilute it in warm water in a ratio of 1: 10 and start spraying the cabbage.

Slugs are a serious enemy of kale, which causes irreparable damage to it and reduces the quality of the crop. Many gardeners are faced with the need to combat such a pest, so they often use folk recipes, rather than chemicals. To remove slugs from cabbage, it is enough to dig small bowls of fermented kvass or beer into the ground. And also for prevention purposes, it is recommended at the very beginning of planting to treat the plant with special harmless compounds that will scare off slugs.