Vates Collard Seeds – 500 Heirloom Collard Greens – Cold Hardy Non-Heading Cabbage

Vates Collard is a dependable heirloom variety prized by gardeners for its compact, non-heading growth habit and excellent cold hardiness. This classic Southern green produces broad, blue-green leaves that are tender and flavorful, making it a favorite for fresh salads, sautéing, and traditional slow-cooked dishes. Unlike heading cabbage, Vates collards form an open rosette of leaves that can be harvested continuously, providing a long season of fresh greens from the garden.

Whether you grow them in a raised bed, container, or traditional vegetable plot, Vates collards are easy to cultivate and perform well in both spring and fall plantings. Their tolerance to frost means they can be harvested well into the cooler months, often becoming sweeter after a light frost. This variety is a reliable choice for home gardeners seeking a productive, cold-hardy green for the kitchen.

Plant Features

• Heirloom, non-heading collard variety with broad, blue-green leaves
• Cold hardy and frost tolerant, ideal for extended fall and winter harvests
• Compact growth habit suitable for small gardens and containers
• Leaves are tender and mild-flavored, excellent for cooking or fresh use
• Open-pollinated and suitable for saving seed

Growing Information

• Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. viridis
• Plant Type: Biennial grown as annual
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5
• Water Requirements: Moderate; keep soil consistently moist
• Growth Habit: Upright, non-heading rosette
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6–10
• Bloom Season: Not typically grown for blooms
• Mature Height: 24–36 inches
• Spacing: 18–24 inches apart

Planting & Care

Start Vates collard seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost, or direct sow in the garden once the soil can be worked. Plant seeds about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in a prepared bed. For a fall crop, sow seeds in mid to late summer. Keep the soil evenly moist during germination, which typically occurs within 7–14 days. Thin seedlings to the recommended spacing to allow good air circulation.

Collards benefit from consistent watering and a layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Side-dress with compost or a balanced fertilizer if growth appears slow. Harvest outer leaves first, leaving the central growing point intact for continued production. Monitor for common cabbage pests such as aphids and caterpillars, and treat as needed with appropriate organic methods.

What's Included

500 Vates Collard seeds.