75-85 days. Brassica oleracea var. viridis. Champion Collards seeds grow huge, slightly crumpled, juicy leaves. These collards leaves are cabbage-like, with a dark blue-green color. Champion collards has a mild cabbage-like flavor that improves with light frost. These leaves keep their eating quality 2 weeks longer than the Vates collards variety, making them excellent for home gardens and home consumption. 8,000 seeds/ounce. Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF Giant Champion Collards Vegetable Garden Seeds Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF Taxonomy: Brassica oleracea var. viridis Hardiness Zone: Annual 2-10 (Biennial 6-10) Days to Maturity: 75-85 Days to Germination: 5-12 Seeding Depth: 1/4 inches Plant Spacing: 12-18 inches Plant Height: 10-12 inches Row Spacing: 30 inches Growth Habit: Upright greens Soil Type: Moist, Organic, composted, well-drained Temp Preference: 50-70 °F Light Preference: Full sun Troubleshooting: No serious diseases but watch for cabbage worms, flea beetles, thrips, aphids, and harlequin bugs. Seeds Per Package: 5 g - Approximately 560 Seeds 1 oz - Approximately 8,000 Seeds 4 oz - Approximately 32,000 Seeds 1 lb - Approximately 128,000 Seeds 5 lb - Approximately 640,000 Seeds 25 lb - Approximately 3,200,000 Seeds How to Grow Champion Collards from Seed Collard greens are a cool-hardy crop best if sown in early spring or late summer. For early starts, begin indoors 4-6 weeks prior to final frost or, for a fall harvest, sow 3-4 weeks before first frost. Sow 2-3 seeds 1/4" deep per cell or 4" apart in the garden in Organic, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5. Germinates in 5-12 days, thinning out best starts every 12-18" once true leaves establish. Water regularly to keep collard greens from drying and becoming bitter, but do not oversaturate causing mold, mildew, and rot. Collards thrive from a composted soil bed and require little fertilizing throughout the season unless leaves begin to yellow. How to Harvest Champion Collards About 8-10 weeks after transplanting, collards are ready for harvest. Like with many "cut and come again" crops, harvest frequently to boost production. Collard leaves can be harvested at any size based on preference, but larger leaves become more coarse and bitter. Entire plants may be harvested whole, or simply pick the leaves from the bottom as needed to allow further production. For best flavor, allow greens a frost or two before harvesting. About Champion Collards Seeds A Vates type collard green with dark green leaves Disease and bolting resistant A great choice for fall as Champion has excellent frost resistance Ideal for late winter planting Produces very large plants so leave lots of room! Cultivated at Virginia Tech's renowned Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, Champion is an improved cultivar of the prolific and heavy-yielding Vates collard greens. Higher tolerance to disease and extremes than any other member in the cabbage family, Champion has been crossed to delay bolting from the heat, keeping greens from becoming bitter. Collard greens are a broadleaf Brassica, relative to the similar-tasting broccoli, cabbage, and kale. And its nutrient-dense relatives, collard greens are cold hardy and even thought to taste best after a light frost or two. Collards grow a similar look and texture to kale and cabbage leaves, yet boast a far more tender, silkier, and leafier green. Like broccoli and kale, collards are a "cut and come again" crop that will continue to deliver well into the fall.
