Don't worry about them freezing. Collards actually need to go through a freeze to taste good. I wouldn't worry about them. Don't even start picking them until you have a frost, then you can just harvest the bottom leaves, and they'll live all winter. They'll go to seed in the spring, and if you leave one plant, you'll have seeds for next year.

I don't know how many people you're feeding, but I planted ten collard plants, and I fed me and my son, my mother, and had some to give away.

They love manure, so if you have a source, use it.

Bruggirl is right, frost sweetens them. I planted 27 plants a couple weeks ago. I plan to put some in the freezer for later. trudyjean

Takes for the replies, that eased my mind. never would have thought they would tatse better after a freeze, are the mustards the same way, or do I need to get them before a freeze.

Bruggirl, do you mean fresh manure or composted manure like Black Kow?

All greens benefit from a freeze. It kills off some kind of chemical reaction that makes them bitter. But watch out with eating too many mustard greens. They have oxalic acid in them, which can really mess up your kidneys if you take too much of it in. I have to mix mine with other greens.

Composted manure is best, but you can use fresh manure if you don't let it touch the plants. I'd wait until they are of a decent size to add the manure.

I put collards, cabbage, and broccoli in 1 year old composted cow manure. Almost totally manure compost in the planting hole.(with about a tablespoon of 5-10-15)Then plenty of water.... They went from the size of your hand to bushel basket size in the last 3 weeks. I can hardly believe how they've grown. Right now, they are the prettiest I think I have ever grown. bruggirl is right...They Love Manure! Glad to know about the Mustard. I have it mixed with my turnips.