{"product_id":"champion-collards-heirloom-seeds","title":"Champion Collards Heirloom Seeds","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChampion Collards\u003c\/strong\u003e is an open-pollinated, non-GMO heirloom grown for broad blue-green leaves, sturdy plants, and a long harvest of tender, savory greens. It handles cool weather well and keeps producing as you harvest from the outside leaves, making it a reliable choice for spring and fall gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHistory\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChampion Collards carries the dependable character of a classic home-garden collard, with a compact habit that suits smaller plots and raised beds. Gardeners value it for steady leaf production, good cool-weather flavor, and the satisfying rhythm of picking a few fresh leaves whenever dinner calls.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlant Profile\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e About 60–75 days, with baby leaves ready earlier\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLeaf Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Broad blue-green leaves with sturdy, tender stems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e About 18–24 inches tall and wide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cool-season leafy brassica grown as an annual\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFlavor Profile\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChampion Collards offer a rich, savory brassica flavor with a mild sweetness that develops in cool weather. Young leaves are tender enough for quick sautés and wraps, while mature leaves hold up beautifully in braises, soups, and slow-cooked meals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhen to Plant\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDirect sow Champion Collards in early spring 2–4 weeks before your last spring frost, or start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before transplanting. Sow again in late summer for a fall crop, when cooler temperatures help keep the leaves tender and flavorful. Aim for soil temperatures around 55–75°F, and check your \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/planthardiness.ars.usda.gov\"\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zone\u003c\/a\u003e to fine-tune your planting schedule.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Tips \u0026amp; Planting Dimensions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thin or transplant to 12–18 inches apart, with 18–24 inches between rows.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cover seeds about 1\/4 inch deep in fine, loose soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Usually 5–10 days at 65–75°F.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun for the strongest growth, with light afternoon shade in hotter weather.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost and steady nitrogen for leafy production.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep soil evenly moist while plants are sizing up and sending out new leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvesting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pick lower outside leaves first and leave the center growing point intact for continued production.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHealthy plants:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water at soil level, rotate brassica crops, and give plants enough room for airflow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003e🌱 Gentle Cover Germination 🌱\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eInto the surface — thin cover only, no light needed.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStart with the right foundation.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a fine seed-starting mix — not garden soil or coarse potting mix. Sift it if needed. Small seeds need a smooth, even surface to make good contact and germinate reliably.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCover lightly — just barely.\u003c\/strong\u003e Press seeds onto the moist surface and cover with no more than 1\/8 inch of finely sifted mix. These seeds don’t need light to germinate but they don’t want to be buried either.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMist, don’t drench.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a spray bottle to keep the surface evenly moist. Watering from above can wash small seeds away before they ever get started.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWarmth is your friend.\u003c\/strong\u003e These seeds germinate best at 65–70°F — basically normal room temperature. A heat mat can help if your space runs cool.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrap the humidity.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cover your tray with a humidity dome or a loose piece of plastic wrap. This keeps moisture and warmth stable while you wait.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGive them time.\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep conditions consistent, resist the urge to overwater, and trust the process — they will sprout.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThin with scissors, not fingers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Once seedlings appear, snip extras at the soil line rather than pulling. These roots are close together and pulling one can disturb its neighbors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eChampion Collards do not need cold stratification. For direct sowing, keep the seedbed evenly moist until seedlings emerge.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowth Type \u0026amp; Harvest Yields\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChampion Collards form a productive leafy crown and continue sending out fresh leaves after the outside growth is harvested. Pick a few leaves at a time for a long kitchen harvest, or gather a larger bunch once the plant has filled out. Regular harvesting keeps the center open and productive.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKnowing When to Harvest\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHarvest baby leaves as soon as they are large enough to use, or wait until the outer leaves are broad, richly blue-green, and flexible at the stems. Cut or snap leaves from the bottom upward and leave the central new growth untouched. Fall-grown leaves often become especially sweet after cool weather. Refrigerate unwashed leaves in a loose bag and use them within several days for the best texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCompanion Plants \u0026amp; Mutual Benefits\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOnions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Upright neighbors that fit neatly beside collards and use a different layer of garden space.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDill:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adds diversity to the bed and helps attract beneficial insects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBeets:\u003c\/strong\u003e Compatible cool-season neighbors with similar moisture needs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeas:\u003c\/strong\u003e A spring and fall pairing that shares the cool-season window while using different vertical space.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLettuce:\u003c\/strong\u003e A quick, low-growing companion for filling open bed edges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow to Enjoy\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBraise mature leaves with onions, garlic, and a splash of vinegar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSauté young leaves with olive oil for a quick side dish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFold chopped collards into beans, soups, stews, and vegetable broths.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse tender leaves as sturdy wraps for grains and roasted vegetables.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlice fresh young leaves into slaws, salads, and green smoothies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOrder Today\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrow a generous collard crop with broad blue-green leaves, dependable regrowth, and the rich flavor of cool-season greens. Order Champion Collards Heirloom Seeds today and keep your garden supplying the kitchen for weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Garden Heirloom Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Starter Pack of 10 seeds","offer_id":54053339627834,"sku":null,"price":0.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Garden Pack of 25 seeds 🌱 Best Value","offer_id":54053339660602,"sku":null,"price":2.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/7850\/9626\/files\/image_3f40c235-f129-43e9-a416-0c1d52ffdee2.png?v=1789336881","url":"https:\/\/gardenheirloomseeds.com\/products\/champion-collards-heirloom-seeds","provider":"Garden Heirloom Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}