Willis
HOW TO GROW COLLARDS
Start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, plant out 3 weeks before frost. For fall harvest, transplant 13 weeks before first frost, without additional protection. In a hoophouse, you can plant 2-3 weeks later. Harvest from the bottom of the stem up. Will over winter in most areas. Collards are most tender and delicious after frost. Waxy leaf surface reduces cabbage worms, row cover at transplant if needed. Harvest leaves from the bottom up, cool quickly, dunk in cold water to wash, store at 32˚F. Soil pH 5.0-8.5. Hardiness zones 7. Biennial.
Days from maturity calculated from the date of seeding. Average 7,000 seeds per ounce. Average 112M seeds per acre. Federal germination standard: 80%. Usual seed life: 5 years. Isolation distance for seed saving: 1 mile.
Planting Depth 1/4-1/2”
Soil Temp. Germ. 50-75˚F
Days to Germ. 3-10
Plant Spacing 12-18”
Row Spacing 18-30”
Days To Maturity 65
Full Sun, Moist Well Drained
Days from maturity calculated from the date of seeding. Average 7,000 seeds per ounce. Average 112M seeds per acre. Federal germination standard: 80%. Usual seed life: 5 years. Isolation distance for seed saving: 1 mile.
Planting Depth 1/4-1/2”
Soil Temp. Germ. 50-75˚F
Days to Germ. 3-10
Plant Spacing 12-18”
Row Spacing 18-30”
Days To Maturity 65
Full Sun, Moist Well Drained
- 250 Seeds$4.10
Willis collards have superior vigor, a diverse range of yellow-green to blue-green leaves, and green to purple midribs. Naomi Willis of Rocky Mount, North Carolina stewarded this variety for years. In 1987 she donated seed to the Seed Savers Exchange, reporting that her grandmother grew Willis as far back as the 192...
Willis collards have superior vigor, a diverse range of yellow-green to blue-green leaves, and green to purple midribs. Naomi Willis of Rocky Mount, North Carolina stewarded this variety for years. In 1987 she donated seed to the Seed Savers Exchange, reporting that her grandmother grew Willis as far back as the 1920s. Naomi prepares the greens by cooking them in water with a piece of fat back or ham, seasoning them with hot pepper vinegar. Tags: Color: Multi Color, Size: Large, Heritage: Heirloom, Season: Summer.
Learn More
Meet Your Farmer
We promote fair trade, organic practices and environmental responsibility throughout the Restoration Seeds supply chain. Below are the family farmers and seed suppliers who bring our open pollinated seeds to you.
Deep Harvest Farm
Certified Organic by WA Dept. of Ag.
Seed grower since 2010
Deep Harvest Farm is a certified-organic vegetable, seed and flower farm on Whidbey Island in NW Washington. Run by Annie Jesperson and Nathaniel Talbot, the farm focuses on year-round vegetable production, taking extra steps to use ecological soil management practices such as minimal tillage, the use of compost and cover cropping.
Reviews