The Champion variety is a top choice for gardeners seeking durable and reliable crops. It produces uniform, vigorous plants with lush, darker blue-green leaves that grow up to 34 inches tall. Renowned for its excellent adaptability and hardiness, this variety thrives in diverse climates, making it perfect for both seasoned and beginner gardeners. Ideal for fresh eating, steaming, or adding to hearty soups, Champion collards are a must-have for any home garden.
Collard Greens Growing Guide
Outdoor Sowing (Directly in the Garden)
- Timing: Sow collard seeds outdoors in early spring, 2–4 weeks before the last frost date, or in late summer for a fall harvest. Collards thrive in cool temperatures and can tolerate light frosts, which enhance their flavor.
- Location: Choose a sunny spot with fertile, well-draining soil. Collards can tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates.
- Soil Preparation: Loosen the soil to a depth of 12 inches and incorporate compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and drainage. Collards prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
- Planting Seeds:
- Sow seeds 1/4–1/2 inch deep and 2–4 inches apart in rows.
- Space rows 18–24 inches apart for proper airflow and ease of harvesting.
- Thinning: Thin seedlings to 12–18 inches apart once they are about 2 inches tall to give plants room to grow.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply and regularly, especially during dry periods.
Indoor Sowing (Starting Seeds Indoors)
- Timing: Start collard seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last expected frost date for an earlier harvest.
- Containers: Use seed trays or small pots with good drainage, filled with a light, well-draining seed-starting mix.
- Planting:
- Sow seeds 1/4–1/2 inch deep, placing 1–2 seeds per cell or pot.
- Cover lightly with soil and water gently.
- Germination:
- Maintain a temperature of 65–75°F for optimal germination.
- Expect seedlings to emerge within 5–10 days.
- Transplanting: Transplant seedlings outdoors when soil temperatures are consistently above 50°F and plants have 4–5 true leaves. Space plants 12–18 inches apart in rows.
General Care Tips for Collard Greens
- Sunlight: Provide full sun for best growth. Collards can tolerate partial shade, especially in warmer climates.
- Watering: Water consistently to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Fertilizing: Collards are heavy feeders. Enrich the soil with compost before planting and side-dress with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer every 3–4 weeks to encourage leafy growth.
- Weeding: Keep the area weed-free to reduce competition for nutrients and moisture. Be careful not to disturb collards' shallow roots when weeding.
- Pest and Disease Control: Monitor for pests like cabbage worms and aphids. Use row covers to protect young plants, and hand-pick pests or use organic insecticides as needed.
- Harvesting: Harvest leaves as needed when they reach the desired size, starting with the lower leaves. For a full harvest, cut the entire plant at the base.
