Collards : Vates

High quality frost-resistant greens, suited for the Mid-Atlantic and South

Vates' is a popular non-heading, slow-bolting collard with large blue-green leaves on 32" tall plants. Produces high quality frost-resistant greens especially suited to the Mid-Atlantic region and southern areas.

Brassicaceae Brassica oleracea var. acephala

This is an example of the timeline you would see based on your growing conditions.

Collards: Collard Greens

Vates

Big, dark green, rounded, slightly savoyed leaves have a mild cabbage-like flavor that improves with a light frost. In mild climates collards will continue to grow all winter without disruption and can be harvested continually for months (it will also be in peak condition in the cool weather).

Basics

Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Annual
Days to Maturity: 68 (Spring/Summer), 68-100 (Fall/Winter)
Growing Habit: Bush
Hardiness: Super Hardy

Very hardy, thrives as a winter crop and can be frost tolerant in temperatures as low as 0˚ F.
Crops: Spring Transplant, Spring, Fall Transplant, Fall
Growing Season: Short, Long
Cultivar Type: -
Growing Conditions: Cold, Cool, Warm, Hot

Collards are such a long season crop, they are usually direct sown 20 to 30" apart in mid spring. Wait until the cold weather has passed, so there is no chance of them being vernalized (which could cause them to bolt). Though Collards are most tender and better flavored when grown in cool weather, they do tolerate heat.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 40°F - 80°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 45°F

Collards are pretty hardy and can go into the ground when it is still fairly cold. However they will germinate and grow faster in warmer soil.
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes
Light: Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cold, Cool, Warm, Hot)

Collards will be most productive in full sun, though they will tolerate partial shade.
Water: Moderate

Collards must have plenty of water for maximum productivity and best quality.
Feeder: Heavy

Low nitrogen. Moderate potassium. Moderate phosphorous.

Collards have similar nutritional requirements as kale, in that it needs a significant amount of phosphorus and potassium, but not a lot of nitrogen. It will flower early with too much nitrogen.
Suitability: Tolerates light frost, Tolerates hard frost, High heat, Partial shade, Needs summer shade
Small Gardens?: Yes
Containers?: Yes

Collards grow larger than most greens, so you will need a container that is a minimum of 12" in diameter and 12 to 18" deep for one plant. Make sure that your container has drainage holes, and line the bottom with weed cloth or rocks/gravel. Cover with a mixture of potting soil and compost. Collards love sunshine, so make sure to place your container in an area that has access to sun all day. You will need to water once a day in hot climates and less frequently when the weather is cool.
Attracts beneficial insects?: No
Color: Blue-Green
Fruit Size: - "
Plant Height: 30.0 - 32.0"
Plant Diameter: 12.0 - 18.0"
Hardiness Zone: 3-11
Disease Resistance
Taste Profile: Tastes sweeter when harvested in cooler weather.
Rotation Group: Leaves: Brassicas + Leafy Greens

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Plant Guide

Collards : Vates

High quality frost-resistant greens, suited for the Mid-Atlantic and South

Vates

Basics