The first step in transplanting a collard is to dig a hole where you want it to go. I like to dig a hole a bit deeper than the plant really wants, partly as a way of lowering the plant so it is less likely to fall over in a windstorm. Also, then the roots go deeper.

Then I harvest the big leaves off the plant that is about to be moved. The first thing the plant really knows about moving is that it took a shock to the root system. It has to  reestablish roots before it's ready to feed leaves with water. If you don't harvest the leaves first, they dehydrate the plant and decrease its chances of survival.

Then I move the plant. I get as much of the root system as I can, but I'm sure it looses a lot of tiny roots. Maybe the bottom of the taproot to, but I don't worry about that so much. As long as the part that figures out new leaves is okay I'm sure it will recover, given enough water. I always water my collards when I go to the garden.

Then I fill in the holes with dirt.

All done! On the left you can see a couple that I moved earlier in the process. Those are already growing leaves I hope to let grow until quite large before harvesting.