Champion Collards

Sink your senses into Champion Collards’ lush, velvety leaves—deep blue-green and richly fragrant, with a tender, sweet bite that holds its charm from first harvest through repeated cuttings.

The foliage forms a sturdy, upright rosette that stays pleasantly crisp, making it ideal for slow-simmered pot favorites, hearty braises, and robust greens-forward sauces. Grow this dependable 60-day performer for a steady supply of premium greens with a satisfying, spoon-tender texture.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Champion Collards

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Jun 17th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Champion Collards have that sweet, velvety leaf structure that stays intact through long heat—so you get spoon-tender greens without the bitter collapse. Handle them like a braise: fat to round the brassica edge, then vinegar or citrus at the end to wake the whole pot.

Best Uses

low-and-slow potlikker simmer (greens go spoon-tender without turning to mulch)
braised greens with rendered fat and a splash of vinegar to sharpen the bite
thick greens-forward purée/sauce for tossing with pasta or spooning over roast grains
quick sauté finish on already-tender leaves to keep a little snap

Flavor Profile

sweet, tender bite deep blue-green earthiness velvety, slightly crisp leaf texture smoky-savory brassica savor

Kitchen Pairings

smoked turkey black pepper apple cider vinegar olive oil parmesan lemon

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects collards (Brassica oleracea) and how can I control it?

A frequent problem on Brassica oleracea (collards) is cabbage worms (imported cabbageworm and cabbage looper) that chew irregular holes in leaves. Check the undersides of foliage several times per week and remove egg clusters by hand; for control, spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) when small caterpillars are present and repeat as label directions require. If you see clubroot symptoms (wilting plants with swollen, knobby roots), remove affected plants and avoid planting Brassicas in the same spot for several years, and keep soil from staying excessively wet.

How often should I water champion collards during the main growing phase?

During active leaf production, keep the soil consistently evenly moist to a depth of about 6 inches, not soggy. In most home gardens, that means watering deeply about 1–2 times per week, increasing to 2–3 times per week during hot weather. If the top 1 inch of soil dries out between waterings, your collards are likely to become tough and bitter—water thoroughly to re-moisten the root zone.

How do I know when Champion collards (Brassica oleracea) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads of large outer leaves are fully developed, typically around day 60, with leaves that are firm and a deep green color. Pick the largest outer leaves first by cutting them 1–2 inches above the crown; the plant should continue producing new leaves for additional harvests. Avoid waiting until leaves are extremely thick and overly mature, which can lead to a more bitter taste.