Grow and Save Collard Seeds – A Guide with a Side of Humor
Collard greens: the leafy superheroes of the garden. They endure heat, laugh in the face of frost, and keep producing delicious, nutritious leaves even when other crops give up. Whether you want to enjoy them on your plate or save their seeds for future harvests, here’s everything you need to know about growing and saving collard seeds—sprinkled with a bit of humor to keep things interesting.
How to Grow Collards
Collards have long been a staple of Southern cuisine, but they are not just for the South! These hearty Brassica oleracea plants thrive in a variety of climates and keep your garden looking lush with their enormous, edible leaves. Plus, they’ll happily stick around longer than most of your other garden crops—because they’re just that kind of friend.
Time of Planting
Collards are tough but not reckless. They like to be transplanted after the danger of hard frost has passed. If you’re the planning-ahead type, sow seeds indoors about 4-6 weeks before you expect to transplant them outside. If you’re more of a last-minute gardener, direct sowing works too, but you may have to wait longer for those gorgeous greens.
Spacing Requirements
Collards need their personal space—no one likes a cramped living situation. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep and plant seedlings at least 24 inches apart to give them room to stretch out and thrive.
Time to Germination
Collards are impatient compared to some plants, sprouting in just 3-10 days. Just when you start to think, “Did I mess this up?”—bam! Little green sprouts appear.
Special Considerations
Collards are like the workhorses of the Brassica family. They can handle long, hot summers and will keep going well into fall and winter, making them one of the most resilient crops you can grow. A little frost? No problem. It actually makes them taste sweeter. (Nature’s way of saying, “Good things come to those who wait.”)
Common Pests and Diseases
Your collards might be tough, but that doesn’t mean they won’t attract some unwanted dinner guests.
- Cabbage worms, harlequin bugs, and grasshoppers love collard greens as much as you do. To keep them from throwing a feast, use row covers for protection.
- Fungal diseases can sometimes pop up, but spacing your plants well and keeping the leaves dry will help prevent any major outbreaks.
Harvesting for Food
Collards are ready when their leaves are about the size of a dinner plate—because why settle for small leaves when you can have a meal-sized one? You can harvest individual leaves throughout the season, and they’ll keep growing. If you wait until after a light frost, they’ll taste even better. Think of it as nature’s way of seasoning them for you.
Eating Your Collards
Raw, cooked, blended—collards are versatile. Some folks enjoy them fresh in wraps, while others simmer them for hours in broth, stock, or a little bit of bacon grease (because why not?).
Storing Your Greens
Fresh collard greens last about 7-10 days in the refrigerator. If you’re thinking long-term, blanch and freeze them to enjoy that homegrown goodness all winter.
How to Save Collard Seeds
If you’re feeling ambitious and want to keep the collard legacy alive, saving seeds is the way to go. But here’s the catch: collards belong to the Brassica oleracea species, meaning they can cross-pollinate with other members like broccoli and cauliflower. So unless you’re into weird veggie hybrids (broccollards, anyone?), isolation is key.
Life Cycle
Collards are biennial, meaning they take two years to complete their life cycle. (Good things take time.) In the first year, they focus on growing those delicious leaves, and in the second year, they finally decide to flower and set seeds.
Recommended Isolation Distance
To prevent any unintended Brassica matchmaking, separate different varieties by 800 feet to half a mile. Yes, they need their space—think of it as social distancing for plants.
Recommended Population Sizes
For viable seeds, save from at least five plants. If you want to maintain a variety over multiple generations, save from 20-50 plants. And if you’re a seed-saving superhero looking to preserve rare varieties, aim for 80 plants.
Vernalization (a Fancy Word for Cold Storage)
If your winters don’t drop below 20°F, you can overwinter your collards outside. If it gets colder, you’ll need to dig them up and store them in slightly moist potting mix or sand at around 34-39°F with 80-95% humidity. A root cellar is perfect, but an unheated garage or shed can work too.
In the spring, replant them and give them plenty of room—at least 18-24 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart. Staking is a good idea since seed stalks can get tall and unruly.
Assessing Seed Maturity
By year two, your collards will flower and produce seed pods. Wait until the pods turn dry and brittle before harvesting. If you hear them rattling, congratulations—you’ve got mature seeds.
Harvesting and Cleaning Seeds
To collect seeds, cut the branches or entire plant and place them on a cloth or in a container. Since Brassica seeds have a tendency to “shatter” (aka explode everywhere), this will help catch any escapees. Then, rub the pods between your hands or against a surface to release the seeds.
Storage and Viability
Store your collard seeds in a cool, dry, dark place in an airtight container. Done right, they’ll stay viable for up to six years—plenty of time to grow more of those delicious greens!
Final Thoughts
Growing and saving collard seeds is a rewarding process that lets you enjoy fresh greens year-round and pass along strong, homegrown seeds for future generations. Plus, collards are just plain fun to grow—they’re hardy, delicious, and nearly indestructible. So give it a try, and before you know it, you’ll have a never-ending supply of leafy goodness! Happy gardening!