Georgia Southern Collards

Grow the classic Southern green with Georgia Southern Collards – a time-honored heirloom variety that produces large, blue-green leaves with mild, sweet flavor perfect for traditional Southern cooking. These non-heading collards are incredibly productive, cold-hardy, and improve in flavor after frost, making them ideal for fall and winter harvests.

Growing Information

• Days to maturity: 60-80 days from transplant
• Planting: Direct sow or transplant in early spring or late summer for fall/winter harvest; plant seeds 1/4-1/2 inch deep, 18-24 inches apart
• Spacing: Rows 30-36 inches apart
• Sun: Full sun to partial shade (4-8 hours daily)
• Zones: 3-11 (cool-season crop, very cold-hardy)

Harvest & Use

Begin harvesting when leaves reach 8-10 inches long – pick lower leaves first, allowing the plant to continue producing from the top. Flavor improves dramatically after frost, becoming sweeter and more tender. Perfect for traditional Southern-style collards slow-cooked with ham hocks, sautéed with garlic, added to soups and stews, or enjoyed fresh in salads when young. Plants can produce for months with regular harvesting, especially in mild climates.

Care Tips

Georgia Southern collards thrive in rich, well-drained soil with consistent moisture. Water regularly – about 1-2 inches per week. Mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. These are heavy feeders, so side-dress with compost or nitrogen fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. Extremely cold-hardy, surviving temperatures down to 10°F and improving in flavor after frost. Companion plant with onions, potatoes, or herbs for natural pest management.

Why Choose Georgia Southern

This classic variety offers exceptional cold-hardiness, continuous production, and authentic Southern flavor that's been treasured for generations. Whether you're growing for traditional soul food cooking or want nutritious greens through fall and winter, Georgia Southern delivers reliable yields and superior flavor that make it the gold standard for collard greens.