Collard greens are a staple in a home-cooked southern meal. Southern cooks often serve these leafy greens stewed with ham hocks and bacon. Their dark green coloring indicates that they are one of the healthiest vegetables since they have more vitamin-rich chlorophyll. People enjoy collard greens all over the world in salads, wraps, and even by themselves. This article will discuss hydroponic collard greens, how to plant them, and how to cook them. 

What Are Collard Greens?

Collard greens are members of the same family as kale, turnips, and mustard greens. They have large, thick, dark green leaves that are slightly bitter. Collard greens are rich in Vitamin K. People historically used them to fight disease, as they are so high in vitamins and minerals. Collard greens have been enjoyed by people all over the world for over 2,000 years. They can be traced all the way back to ancient Greece. Nowadays, they are everywhere. In fact, they are featured in Brazil’s national dish, a pork and bean stew known as feijoada. 

In East Africa, collard greens are known as Sukuma, and are sauteed in oil, flavored with onions, and seasoned with salt. They are a staple on Southern American dinner tables. Italians like to stir fry them and combine them with pasta. Of course, Greeks still like to eat them boiled until they are very soft. Collard greens have roots in a variety of cultures that celebrate them by enjoying them today.  

How to Grow Hydroponic Collard Greens

Hydroponic foods are the way of the future. Like all leafy vegetables, collard greens lend themselves well to growing without soil. Growing collard greens hydroponically is easy! Find out what to do below. 

Planting

The first way to plant hydroponic collard greens is to germinate the seeds. This process takes about a week to 10 days. Once the seedlings have reached about 10 inches, you will need to thin out the small and weak seedlings to make room for the stronger ones. You can save these seedlings to use in cooking later if you like. 

You will need to fertilize the plants as well once they are several inches high. If the leaves start looking pale, you can fertilize them again after about a month and a half. 

Environment

Collard greens need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. They grow best at temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees, as they are more of a cold-weather plant. They can even survive frost. The benefit of growing collard greens indoors hydroponically is that they are prone to pests such as caterpillars. Inside a hydroponic greenhouse, this will not be an issue, and they can grow to harvest without problems. 

Upkeep

Be sure to select a nutrient solution that is good for herbs and leafy greens. Choosing the right solution will ensure that your plant is getting the necessary nutrients that it needs to grow healthy. Also, be sure to prune and manicure the plant whenever required. Dead leaves can kill off new growth, so ensure that you remove them to allow the plant to grow to its full potential. 

Harvest

It takes 35-42 days for collard greens to grow hydroponically. That’s up to 30% faster than growing them traditionally. Their leaves should be less than ten inches long and dark green. If you wait too long to harvest, their leaves will be dark and stringy. 

How to Cook Collard Greens

Collard greens are delicious in salads, as wraps, or even by themselves as a delicious side dish! Find out different ways to make a delicious home-cooked dish with collard greens below. 

Salads

To use collard greens in a salad, slice along both sides of the stem to remove it. Stack the halved leaves in a pile and cut them crosswise into ribbons. Add tomatoes, onions, garlic, and even bacon to make a delicious and nutritious salad! Here is a good salad recipe to try if you don’t know where to start. 

Wraps

Remove the stems from the leaves with a paring knife, and place the collard leaves on a flat surface. Add your filling, then fold the end of the leaf over the fillings lengthwise. Fold the short ends in, roll again, and place the wrap with the seam side down on a serving plate. You can fill it with asparagus, hummus, zucchini, avocado, and other delicious fruits and vegetables. Try this hummus collard wrap recipe to start out. 

Sauté

Start with 2.5 pounds of collard greens. As with the other methods of preparation, you will need to remove the stems from the leaves. Then, cut the leaves into one-inch pieces and add them to a pot of boiling water. Cook them for 15 minutes, then drain them in a colander, using a spoon to press out excess liquid. Add garlic, butter, olive oil, and lemon juice to bring some extra flavor to your dish. 

Steam

Starting with 1 pound of collard greens, remove the center stem as usual. Cut the leaves into .5 inch pieces. Fill a steamer with 2 inches of water and add the greens along with a clove of minced garlic. Steam for five minutes. 

Stew

Remove the center stems from 2 pounds of collard greens, and coarsely chop the leaves. Simmer for about two hours with 3 cups of chicken broth. Some recipes like this one for stewed collard greens add bacon, onions, and Cajun seasoning as well. It’s up to you what you want to add to make it your own!

Blanched 

Remove the center stems as usual and add the greens to a large pot of boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain them, let them cool, then squeeze out the excess liquid. Place them on a baking sheet to dry. 

Collard greens are a classic home-cooked staple that so many people love. They can be used in many different ways and are healthy and nutritious to boot! 

Check out Eden Green Technology for the latest in hydroponic collard greens. Our hydroponic greenhouses are solving the world’s food crisis and providing healthy produce like collard greens to people all over the world. Learn more about our hydroponic vertical farms and microclimate technology on our website.