Days to Maturity: 55

These delicious collards are very slow to bolt. Their dark green leaves have a high yield and beautiful texture.

Collards are wonderfully tolerant of both heat and cold; in fact, their flavor is sweetened by a little frost. Sow seeds directly in early spring or in late summer for a fall crop; or start indoors 5 to 7 weeks before setting out. If you want tall plants with full-sized leaves to harvest all at once space the seedlings 15 inches apart. For smaller plants with leaves that can be picked as they arise, space them just 6 to 8 inches apart.

From farmers' markets and supermarkets to gourmet restaurants and backyard gardens, leafy greens (lettuce, mustard, spinach, and collards) are popular for their various textures, sweet or pungent flavors, beautiful colors, and nutritional value. They're versatile and fast growing, can be harvested at most any stage, are delicious raw or cooked, and in warmer cl