Vates Collard Seeds

Collards are the unsung hero of the garden world. This collard green is known for its production. Large leaves produce massive amounts of greens to eat all season long.

Planting by Zones

Zones 9-10

• Collards are cool season plants that do best in cool temperatures. In Zones 9 and 10 they are happiest in winter and early spring with seasonal rains, but can also be grown year round in mild areas. Collards can be easily direct-seeded or transplanted out.

Zones 2-8

• Plant from early spring until about 3 months prior to the first fall frost. Crop protection like row covers can extend the growing season.
• To direct sow, plant seeds in well-worked soil that has been deeply watered and is debris-free. Cover with 1/4″ of finely sifted soil.
• If you are planting seeds in starter pots, plant seeds into thoroughly moist high-quality seed starting soil. Place seeds on the top of the soil and cover with 1/4″ of finely sifted soil.

Planting Collards

• Collards are easy to plant directly in the soil or into starter pots and transplanted out.
• To direct sow, plant seeds in well-worked soil that has been deeply watered and is debris-free. Cover with 1/4″ of finely sifted soil.
• If using starter pots, plant seeds into thoroughly moist high-quality seed starting soil. Place seeds on the top of the soil and cover with 1/4″ of finely sifted soil.
• Once your plants have germinated and the first set of true leaves show, fertilize with an organic liquid fertilizer. Plant them out into the garden when they reach 3-4″ tall.

Growing Collards

• Grow in full sun during the cooler part of the year. In warmer months, collards can take some shade. If the weather is particularly hot, you can use shade cloth to protect the crop.
• Collards are easy to grow and do not suffer from many pest or disease issues. Plant them with adequate spacing to ensure good airflow around the plants. This will help with aphids and whiteflies.

Harvesting Collards

• Harvest at any point the leaves are worth eating. In Zones 9 and 10 they can grow very tall because of our long growing season.

Growing Collards in Containers

• Collards are a great container crop. Make sure your container is at least 20″ deep. Keep in mind containers will dry out faster because they have more surface area and less soil to hold onto moisture. Mulch heavily on the top layer of soil in the pot to keep the soil from drying out or heating up too much.

Southern California Pro-tips

• In areas of Zones 9 and 10, you can grow collards year round but the plants will be less productive and tasty during the hot months.
• Mulch heavily around your collard plants to ensure the soil does not dry out or heat up too much.
• Spray plants with a hard jet of water to remove any aphids you find. Check the underside of leaves!

Companion Flowers/Crops

• We love planting nasturtium, alyssum, borage, and cosmos around our collard greens.

Additional Learning Resources

• New to starting crops from seeds? Please watch our Seed Starting Presentation to learn the basics!
• Learn about growing all our crops on our YouTube page!
• Having pest issues? Check out in-depth information for pests that can be an issue for collards at the UC Integrated Pest Management site.