When to harvest Kale, Collards, and other Brassicas?

I was out in the garden harvesting a fifty foot row of collard greens, when I thought I should share when I know my kale, collards, and other brassicas are ready to harvest. As a beginning gardener, I used to run into problems because I would let my plants grow too long before first picking leaves. There are a lot of differing techniques for growing and harvesting brassica greens, this is just what I have found to be the most productive way of growing and harvesting my kale, collard, rutabaga, kohlrabi, and turnip greens.

[@PlantBasedGabriel]

What brassicas are you growing this year?

[@selecttravelvacations7472]

That was really helpful! Thank you. This is my first year growing them. I’ve likely let mine get too big but what a beautiful sea of blue green I have right now out in my cool season garden. They are shading out the usual weeds too!

[@bahgirl1823]

Thank you, this is exact answer I was looking for!

[@deborahthompson5041]

This is exactly the information I was looking for. Thanks so much.

[@growingstuff3183]

So glad i stumbled across this video. I wasnt sure when to harvest them. After watching this I harvested enough to sauté some for the family for dinner!

[@ibdam1]

Thanks for sharing.

[@jmhall852]

So incredibly helpful and answered all my questions. Thank you!

[@Starting321]

Learn something new every day!! Thanks! I know this is an old video, but just wanted to comment. I grew up around gardners and we typically had some form of a garden. I thought I knew way more than I actually did! I've been actively trying to garden on a small scale since around 2019. Each year I've tried to expand. This year Ive added another larger in ground plot! I am so excited! I purchased and planted collard plants around first week in Aug. My attempt to start my own failed. I harvested from those collards for the first time last week! Was surprised at how fast they grew. I struggle with letting the heads get larger or just plucking a few leaves here and there. I couldnt resist picking them again this evening. I'm so glad to learn the more collards are picked the faster they produce! I did observe I could barely tell I had picked some last week. I may pick a few more since we're expecting rain this coming week they should really take off. Thanks again for the info!

[@pennybrazie6544]

Hello❤ I did not know you were on here😊

[@LADYNIA18]

I'm sure you know by now a frost or soft freeze makes your brassicas sweeter. I love your gardening space.

[@docbrown3139]

Beautiful!

[@carriekassick7311]

Thank you, just what I wanted to know! 👍🏼

[@sylviagoldeneyez3034]

Thank you I needed this info

[@rjbrewer09]

Thank you so much... I was wondering when I could pick them. This is my first time/ year in planting collards. Have a blessed day!

[@GrowHealthTV]

Hi Gabriel. Love the vids. Under my little greenhouse, I have kale and mustard greens growing. However I will be planting tons more for spring shortly. I sometimes plant turnips and beats for the winter harvest too.

[@PlantBasedGabriel]

Grow Health TV love winter sweetened turnips 😋

[@GrowHealthTV]

@@PlantBasedGabriel I know -- right.

[@kimberlycaudle6375]

This is my first year growing collards. Mine are fully matured now. Will they continue to grow if I cut a few leaves from each one?

[@beebeesfuntasticadventures6110]

Wow, nice.

[@PlantBasedGabriel]

Thanks! :)

[@joshoconnor5005]

@@PlantBasedGabriel can you explain how you blanch and freeze and then use for smoothies?

[@GrowHealthTV]

I shared your best seller vid and another in my shared video play list. Yummy.

[@PlantBasedGabriel]

Grow Health TV you are so kind ❤️

[@GrowHealthTV]

@@PlantBasedGabriel Aw-shucks.

[@rashidahshakir2632]

We need to know leaf size at harvest because 10" collard leaves are considered full size. Is taste compromised by harvesting at, say, 6"?

[@lindaw2652]

How do you avoid aphids and grasshopper damage?

[@lisamyerspodcast]

Wait. You can eat Brussel sprout leaves too? Im cutting my collards using a scissors, is that ok?