Collards for the New Year: A Tradition of Prosperity, Growth, and Good Health

As we ring in the New Year, many people embrace the tradition of eating collard greens for good luck and prosperity. While this custom is popular in the South, its roots go much deeper into history and culture. At Arrows Farm, we cherish collards not only for their nutritional benefits but also for the rich history and meaning they carry as we embark on a fresh start each year.

Whether you’ve grown up with this tradition or are discovering it for the first time, incorporating collards into your New Year’s meals is a beautiful way to embrace health, abundance, and new beginnings.

The Meaning of Collards for the New Year

Collard greens, with their hearty and robust leaves, symbolize wealth, strength, and prosperity. It’s said that the shape of the leaves resembles paper money, making collards an essential part of New Year’s meals, especially in the Southern United States. Eating them on New Year’s Day is believed to bring financial success and good fortune for the year ahead. For us, they represent the promise of growth, health, and a flourishing harvest—a perfect reminder of what’s possible when we tend to our gardens and our lives with care and intention.

How to Grow Collards in North Georgia

Collards thrive in the cooler months, making them an ideal crop for North Georgia, where we experience mild winters and warm summers. If you’re ready to grow your own collards and start the New Year with a homegrown harvest, here’s how to get started:

1. Planting Time Collards can be planted in the early spring or fall. In North Georgia, late summer to early fall (around August to September) is the perfect time to plant for a winter harvest. They can also survive through the winter if protected from extreme cold.

2. Soil Preparation Collards prefer rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH (around 6.0 to 6.5). Add compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil and improve drainage.

3. Spacing and Care Space your collard plants 18 to 24 inches apart to allow for growth. Collards are fairly low-maintenance but benefit from regular watering and some mulch to retain moisture during dry spells.

4. Pest Control Collards are prone to pests like aphids and cabbage worms. Keep an eye on your plants, and consider using natural pest control methods, like introducing ladybugs to your garden or using an organic insecticidal soap.

5. Harvesting Collard greens can be harvested when the leaves are large enough to eat, but they will taste even sweeter after a light frost. Simply pluck the leaves from the bottom of the plant, allowing the top leaves to continue growing.

Where to Buy Collard Seeds

If you’re ready to plant your own collards this season, you can find seeds at local garden centers or online. Here are a few great sources:

• Local Garden Centers: Check out your neighborhood garden store or co-op for locally-adapted collard seed varieties.

• Grow Organic: Offering a wide variety of organic collard seeds for gardeners who want to grow sustainably.

• Harry’s Farm & Garden: A trusted local source with a selection of high-quality seeds perfect for North Georgia gardens.

• Georgia Organics: This local nonprofit offers a list of farmers and gardening suppliers across Georgia, including places where you can purchase collard seeds.

  
  

Delicious Collard Recipes to Try

Now that you’re ready to grow and harvest your own collards, why not get creative with how you cook them? Here are a few of our favorite recipes that highlight collards in all their delicious glory:

Chicken Pot Pie with Collards

A twist on the classic comfort food, adding collards for extra flavor and nutrition.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded

• 1 cup collards, chopped

• 2 cups mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)

• 1 can cream of chicken soup

• 1 package pie crusts

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. In a bowl, combine chicken, collards, vegetables, and soup.

3. Line a pie pan with one pie crust, fill with the chicken mixture, and top with the second crust.

4. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown.

Sauteed Collards

A simple yet flavorful way to enjoy collards as a side dish. Perfect with any main course!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups collards, chopped

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

2. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.

3. Add collards and cook until wilted, about 5-7 minutes.

4. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper.

Collard Slaw

A crunchy, refreshing slaw that’s perfect for a pulled pork (locally raised) sandwich or as a side dish.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups collards, thinly sliced

• 1 cup shredded carrots

• 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced

• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 1 tbsp honey

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine collards, carrots, and onion.

2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper.

3. Pour dressing over the vegetables and toss to combine.

Collards are a versatile, nutrient-packed vegetable that holds a special place in both our gardens and our kitchens. Whether you're growing them in your backyard or buying them from a local farmer, they’re a perfect way to kick off the New Year with good fortune and health. We hope these tips and recipes inspire you to enjoy collards all year long—here’s to a prosperous, healthy 2025!