Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Morris Heading Collards are a hearty green that produces large blueish green leaves with a mild cabbage flavor. This variety of green can not only tolerate a light frost, but develops a bolder, sweeter flavor after one. In cold weather, the leaves can form a loose head and have the best flavor when they are harvested young. Morris Heading Collard greens are great sauteed alone or with other greens such as Vates Blue Scotch Kale for a lovely side, or add to soups, stews, or stir-fry’s.
NAME: Collards (Brassica oleracae var. acephala)
VARIETY: Morris Heading
DAYS TO MATURITY: 80 – 85 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Annual
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 3 – 11
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun
SOIL: Fertile, loam soil with a pH 6.5– 6.9
PLANT HEIGHT: 18 – 30 inches
SPACING: 7 – 14 inches apart
TEMP: 40 – 80ºF
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
Sow seeds indoors 3 weeks before your last local spring frost.
Sow 1 to 2 seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting soil mix in each cell of a cell tray.
Keep the soil moist and ensure ambient temps are around 70°F and seedlings will sprout in 6 to 12 days.
As soon as the seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow 3 to 4 inches beneath fluorescent/LED plant lights turned on 15 hours per day, off for 9 hours at night, raising the light with growth..
Before planting outside, you will need to harden off seedlings for several days. Do this by taking them outside during the day and bringing them in at night.
Make sure soil and air temps are at least 50°F before transplanting.
Transplant into prepared garden bed once seedlings are 4 inches tall and hardened off; space them 16 inches apart in rows that are 36 inches.
Direct sow seeds outdoors once air and soil temps stay above 50°F during the day and night (Minor temperature fluctuations are okay)
Sow each seed 2 inches apart and cover with ¼ inch of fine soil; press soil down lightly and water them in generously; seedlings emerge in 6 to 12 days (Warmer soil temps germinate the seeds quicker)
When seedlings are 2 inches tall, thin to 16 inches apart; this will allow enough space for each plant to grow
It is important to keep the soil continuously moist until the sprouts get to be 1 inch tall.
In the summertime, insect netting or shade cloth may prove necessary to prevent cabbage moth damage.
Collards are relatively low maintenance but may benefit from occasional side-dressing with compost or a balanced fertilizer.
Keep the area weed-free to reduce competition for nutrients and water.
Begin harvesting Morris Heading Collards when the leaves reach a usable size, typically 8-10 inches long and has over 10 large leaves.
Harvest outer leaves first, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing.
Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the leaves at the base of the plant.
Continual harvesting encourages new growth and prolongs the harvest period.
Collards are cold-hardy and can withstand light frosts, so you can continue harvesting into late fall or even early winter in some regions.
