Collards – Morris Heading

Description

Morris Heading Collards (A.K.A. Cabbage Collards)

250 Seeds per pack

Days to Maturity: 70–85 days (baby leaves in about 30–50 days)

Sun Requirements: Full sun; tolerates partial shade. Provide afternoon shade in hot climates to prevent stress and bitterness.

Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea L. Acephala

Morris Heading Collards, also known as Cabbage Collards, are a Southern heirloom variety introduced around 1919 by the Morris Plant Farm of Hasty, North Carolina. This long-trusted collard has remained popular for generations because of its dependable growth, tender texture, and classic Southern flavor.

Plants typically reach 24 to 36 inches tall and produce broad, softly crumpled, wavy leaves in medium green to blue-green shades. As the season progresses, many plants form loose heads that resemble cabbage in both taste and appearance. The leaves are tender, mild, and slightly sweet with a gentle cabbage-like flavor that works well in both cooked and fresh preparations.

Morris Heading Collards mature in 70 to 85 days and can be grown as a single-cut collard or harvested gradually by removing outer leaves for continual production. This variety is slow to bolt and tolerant of both heat and cold, making it reliable for spring and fall gardens and capable of overwintering in many regions. Flavor often improves after light frost.

Rich in vitamins A, C, K, and B6, along with calcium, iron, magnesium, and fiber, Morris Heading Collards are a highly nutritious leafy green. The tender leaves are excellent boiled, steamed, braised, stir-fried, or added fresh to salads when young. As an open-pollinated heirloom, this variety continues to stand out for its flavor and adaptability in home gardens!

Planting Instructions for Morris Heading Collards Seeds

When to Plant

Morris Heading Collards are a cool-season crop that performs well in both spring and fall gardens. In southern regions, plant in late summer or early fall for winter harvest. In northern regions, plant in mid to late summer for fall harvest. For spring crops, plant when soil temperatures reach about fifty five to seventy five degrees Fahrenheit, roughly six to eight weeks before the last frost. Seeds may also be started indoors and transplanted outdoors about two to three weeks before the last frost once seedlings are strong and established.

How to Start Indoors

Plant seeds one quarter to one half inch deep in clean trays filled with sterile seed-starting mix. Place two to three seeds per cell and keep soil evenly moist. Germination usually occurs in seven to fourteen days. Thin to one strong seedling per cell. Provide bright light and steady moisture. Harden off seedlings for seven to ten days before transplanting by gradually increasing outdoor exposure while protecting them from strong wind, heavy rain, and frost.

Transplanting to the Garden

Transplant when seedlings are four to six weeks old and well rooted. Space plants twelve to twenty four inches apart in rows eighteen to thirty six inches apart. Choose fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter with a pH between six point zero and seven point five. Raised beds help prevent excess moisture and improve early growth.

Direct Sowing Outdoors

Direct sew seeds one quarter to one half inch deep in full sun or light partial shade. Plant three to four seeds every twelve to eighteen inches and thin to one strong plant once seedlings reach about three inches tall. Keep soil evenly moist until germination, which usually occurs in five to ten days when soil temperatures are between fifty five and seventy degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly firm the soil after planting and use row cover if needed to protect young seedlings from insects and drying winds.

Growing Tips

Keep soil consistently moist, providing about one to one and a half inches of water per week. Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Feed every three to four weeks with compost, compost tea, or a balanced nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Morris Heading Collards tolerate both heat and cold but produce the best flavor in cool weather.

Pests and Protection

Common pests include aphids, cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, flea beetles, and slugs. Use floating row covers to prevent egg laying. Handpick caterpillars and rinse aphids off with water or insecticidal soap. Rotate crops and avoid planting brassicas in the same area for at least two to three years to reduce disease risk.

Harvesting

Begin harvesting baby greens in about thirty to fifty days. For full-size leaves, harvest outer leaves when they reach six to ten inches long, usually about seventy to eighty five days after planting. Leaves may be cut individually while leaving the center growth intact for continued production, or the entire plant may be cut just below the crown for a single harvest. Flavor sweetens after light frost.

Storage

Store unwashed leaves wrapped in a damp towel inside a perforated bag in the refrigerator, where they will keep for about five to seven days. For long-term storage, blanch and freeze, which preserves quality for up to ten to twelve months.

Container Growing

Use containers at least twelve to sixteen inches wide and deep, holding about five gallons of soil per plant, with good drainage. Fill with quality potting mix enriched with compost. Plant one collard per container. Place in full sun for six to eight hours daily, with afternoon shade in hot climates. Keep soil evenly moist and feed every two to three weeks with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continued growth.

Overwintering

In mild climates, Morris Heading Collards can overwinter and produce early spring greens. Place plants in a sheltered location protected from strong wind and heavy rain. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. During hard freezes, cover plants with breathable fabric or row cover, removing it when temperatures rise. Container-grown plants require extra protection since pots freeze faster than garden soil.

Saving Seeds

Allow healthy plants to overwinter and flower in their second year. When seed pods turn dry and tan, harvest the stalks and allow them to finish drying in a shaded, well-ventilated area. Once fully dry, gently crush the pods to release the seeds, then separate seeds from chaff using light air movement or a fine screen. Store seeds in labeled seed saving envelopes inside an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark location. Properly stored Morris Heading Collard seeds remain viable for about four to five years. Isolate plants from other Brassica crops to prevent cross-pollination.

FAQ: