Collard Seeds

3 products

Grow a versatile garden green with collard seeds from David's Garden Seeds®. Collards produce broad leaves for simmered greens, quick sautés and other favorite dishes. Tender young leaves can also be used fresh. Explore the varieties below to compare maturity, leaf characteristics and planting recommendations.

Plan a Cool-Season Harvest

Collards do well in fall and winter in our zone 9b garden. In much of the South, fall, winter and early spring harvests help avoid midsummer extremes. Although collards tolerate some heat, leaf quality and flavor depend on the variety and growing conditions. In colder regions, time plantings for your local season; established plants can tolerate frost, and cool weather often improves flavor, but severe cold can still cause damage.

Planting Tips for Steady Growth

Choose your planting window: Follow the seed packet and local planting calendar for direct sowing or starting transplants.
Prepare the bed: Select a sunny location with fertile, well-drained soil. Use the variety's spacing recommendations to allow room for broad leaves.
Keep moisture consistent: Water during dry periods and mulch to conserve moisture and reduce weed competition.
Care for young plants: Harden off indoor-grown seedlings before transplanting and provide nutrients according to soil-test recommendations.
Check for pests: Inspect leaf undersides for caterpillars and aphids. Suitable insect netting can help protect plants when installed before pests arrive.

Harvest Leaves for More Than One Meal

Pick healthy outer leaves as they reach the size you prefer, leaving the central growing point intact for continued production. Avoid stripping the plant of too many leaves at once. Harvest tender young leaves for quicker cooking or allow them to grow larger for traditional simmered greens. Refrigerate promptly and protect leaves from drying out.

Bring Collards to the Table

Wash leaves thoroughly and remove tough stems as needed. Simmer mature leaves until tender, sauté smaller leaves with garlic or add chopped collards to soups and beans. Adjust cooking time to the size and tenderness of your harvest.