Hevi-Hit

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Savory-sweet and deeply green, Hevi-Hit collards unfurl with a satisfying, sturdy bite—leaves that feel substantial yet tender enough to savor at every forkful.

Their flavor is rich and slightly peppery, with a clean, garden-fresh finish that shines in hearty braises, quick sautéed greens, and slow-simmered sauces. Grow Hevi-Hit for dependable midseason harvests and a bold, leafy presence that keeps coming as you pick.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Rosette

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
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)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Hevi-Hit collards bring a meaty leaf chew with a peppery snap that stands up to slow heat without collapsing into slime. Braise them in smoky fat and acid—vinegar or lemon—right at the end so the greens stay vibrant instead of turning flat.

Best Uses

low-and-slow braise until silk-tender and sauce-friendly
quick sauté with a glossy finish (keep bite, no mush)
slow-simmered pot-liquor or thickened stew greens
roll-and-stuff applications where the leaf needs to hold shape

Flavor Profile

savory-sweet, deeply green flavor pleasant peppery bite sturdy, meaty leaf texture with tender chew clean garden-fresh finish

Kitchen Pairings

bacon or smoked pork lemon apple cider vinegar butter or olive oil black pepper smoked paprika

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Brassica oleracea is frequently hit by cabbage worms/cabbage loopers and, in humid conditions, clubroot or downy mildew. Check leaves every 2–3 days and hand-pick worms early, then spray with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) when small larvae are present; keep airflow good by spacing plants correctly. If you see thickened roots (clubroot), remove the plant and avoid planting Brassica in that spot for several years.

How often should I water Brassica oleracea during the main growing phase?

During the main growth period (from establishment through head/leaf filling over roughly weeks 3–8), keep soil consistently evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water about 1–1.5 inches per week total (adjust for your rainfall), and re-water when the top 1 inch of soil dries out—aim for steady moisture to prevent leaf stress and quality loss.

How do I tell when my Brassica oleracea (about 55 days) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the plants have reached full size for their type and the outer leaves feel firm and the head/leaf mass is tight rather than loose or stretched. Count back from transplanting or your sowing date to plan for ~55 days, but use size and firmness as the final trigger. For best flavor, harvest in the morning and don’t wait until leaves look overly soft or beginning to yellow heavily.