Heirloom / Open Pollinated Collards are a cold hardy member of the cabbage family. Collards can be started from seed in early Spring when the soil temperature has reached 55-75°F, about 6-8 weeks before last frost, or for a Fall crop, plant mid-June to mid-July. Plant Collard seeds in full sun, ½” deep, a few seeds together (or more thickly if you want to use thinned young plants for an early crop), every 18-24″, in rows 18-24″ apart. Collards seeds should germinate in 5-17 days. When Collard plants reach 3″, thin to the strongest plant in each group 18-24″ apart. Start picking individual Collard leaves about 2 mos. after planting. Harvest Collards as needed, or pick and store in the refrigerator for a few days max. Collards usually survive into winter, down to 10°F, for a continued harvest. Collards tend to taste best after some frost exposure in fall!