Vates Collards – 20 Seeds

Vates Collards is a heirloom Collard variety. It is also known as Blue Stem and is tolerant of both hot and cold temperatures and frost makes the leaves taste sweeter. This variety has a compact growth habit and is non-heading and very slow to bolt, known for its lack of purpling. Developed by the Virginia Truck Experiment Station, ‘Vates’ was introduced in 1950.

The leaves are a large, slick, crumpled, dark blue-green and tasty with a mild cabbage like flavor, ideal for boiling, canning and freezing. It is typically used for boiling for Southern-style greens. Collard greens tend to store better than most other greens.

Growing Vates Collards

• Start seeds indoors 6 to 4 weeks before the last frost in spring or 12 to 10 weeks before the first frost in autumn.
• Start seeds in individual pots or flats.
• Sow seed 6-13 cm deep in the seed-starting mix.
• Keep the mix moist but not wet.
• Seed should germinate in 5 to 10 days at an optimal temperature of 24°C.
• Transplant seedlings into the garden when they 10-15 cm tall with 2- to 4-leaves and daytime temperatures reach 10°C. Firm transplants into the soil by hand.
• Prefers a soil pH range of 6.0 to 7.5.
• Set transplants slightly deeper than they grew in pots or flats.
• Grow collards in full sun for best yield—tolerates partial shade.
• Add 3- to 4- inches of compost and well-aged manure into planting bed, before transplanting. Collards need friable, moisture-holding soil.
• Avoid planting where cabbage family crops have grown recently.
• Space plants 45-50 cm apart in all directions.
• Space rows 60-106 cm apart.
• Protect seedlings from the cold for 2 to 3 weeks after planting covering them with a cloche or plastic tunnel or cold frame.
• Fertilize with an organic fertilizer such as fish emulsion at half strength.