Collards and Mustards

The Seed Savers Exchange - This heirloom variety’s leaves have the classic spice and sharpness of good mustard green and are more substantial in texture than other leafy greens. The glossy highly toothed leaves gently cascade downward, making them an attractive addition to the vegetable garden. Jim Tjepkema received the variety from fellow Seed Savers Exchange member Dorothy Jones in 1990 and later donated it to our collection. The variety’s lineage can be traced to Georgia in 1839, through Dorothy’s husband’s ancestors.  Characteristics: Organic From the Collection Spicy and sharp Substantial texture 250 seeds per packet  Instructions - You can directly seed your mustards into the ground, placing 3 seeds every 8 inches. Plant them 3 months before your first frost in rows 18-30 inches apart. The seeds should be planted 1/4-1/2 inches deep. As they grow, thin them to 1 plant every 8-10 inches. Mustards may bolt early if planted in the spring.  Start Indoors: 6 weeks before the last frost  Direct Seed: 1/2" Deep Thin: 1-6" Apart Plant Outdoors: 6-8” Apart  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

Seed Exchange - Historic collard first released around 1880. Slow to bolt and tolerant of heat, cold, and poor soil. Non-heading plants grow 2-3 feet tall with large cabbage-like blue-green leaves that are tender, mild, and juicy. 60-80 days. ±8,400 seeds/oz. (Brassica oleracea) (aka Georgia, Creole, Southern)  Tender, mild, and juicy Grows 2-3 feet tall Slow to bolt Tolerates heat, cold, and poor soil 80 days   Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors 3 months before the last frost or sown inside for an early summer harvest.  If sowing indoors, start 6-8 weeks before the last frost and plant right before the last frost.  Plant 4" apart Plant 1/2" Deep Plant Rows 20-24" apart  Thin 12" Apart  

Seed Exchange - This storied collard checks all the boxes! Its uniform, green leaves boast a sweet flavor without a sharp brassica taste. Its leaves grow upright to moderately spreading, reaching up to 2' long and 1' wide; plants average 2' tall and 2.5-3' in diameter. Longtime steward Miss Annie Pearl Counselman received this variety in the early 1950s. In 2012, at age 94, she shared it with Tom Lambard, who donated the variety to Seed Savers Exchange in 2015. 60-80 days. Organic From the Seed Savers Exchange Collection Plants grow to 2 feet tall Leaves grow upright to moderately spreading Very good eating qualities 60-80 days 100 seeds   On a Mission This heirloom collard dates back to at least 1935 in Beaufort County, North Carolina where it was grown by Ellen Felton. Ellen’s son, Harrell, continued to grow and save seed of this variety every year. In 2003, Harrell shared seeds of his mother’s variety with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Recognizing that this seed-saving tradition was in decline, the USDA embarked on a collard seed search in the Carolinas. Researchers drove many hundreds of miles and met several dozen home gardeners, like Harrell, who shared treasured, family heirloom varieties. Seed Savers Exchange is honored to bring this variety out of our bank and into the hands of gardeners. Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in spring after the last frost Plant 4" apart Plant 1/2" Deep Plant Rows 20-24" apart  Thin 12" Apart  

Seed Exchange - A favorite of Seed Savers Exchange staff! This heirloom collard dates to at least 1935 and produces green, elliptical, tender leaves with a sweet, slightly fruity taste. The plants measure 15-22" tall by 22-35" wide and fare well in low temperatures. It was originally grown by Ellen Felton of Beaufort County, North Carolina, and acquired by SSE from the USDA in 2016. 60-80 days.  Organic From the Seed Savers Exchange Collection 150 seeds   On a Mission This heirloom collard dates back to at least 1935 in Beaufort County, North Carolina where it was grown by Ellen Felton. Ellen’s son, Harrell, continued to grow and save seed of this variety every year. In 2003, Harrell shared seeds of his mother’s variety with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Recognizing that this seed-saving tradition was in decline, the USDA embarked on a collard seed search in the Carolinas. Researchers drove many hundreds of miles and met several dozen home gardeners, like Harrell, who shared treasured, family heirloom varieties. Seed Savers Exchange is honored to bring this variety out of our bank and into the hands of gardeners. Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in spring after the last frost Plant 4" apart Plant 1/2" Deep Plant Rows 20-24" apart  Thin 12" Apart  

The Seed Savers Exchange - This heirloom variety has been stewarded and preserved by members of the Feaster family of rural Shiloh, Florida (Marion County), since the Civil War. This green-leaved mustard is mild and slightly sweet when cooked and was donated to Seed Savers Exchange by Jerome Feaster in 2014. Bearing long, broad, smooth, upright leaves with a toothed margin, these plants reach 20-25" tall and 16-18" wide. Characteristics: Mild flavor Plants reach 20-25" tall and 16-18" wide A family favorite since the Civil War 250 seeds per packet  Instructions - You can directly seed your mustards into the ground, placing 3 seeds every 8 inches. Plant them 3 months before your first frost in rows 18-30 inches apart. The seeds should be planted 1/4-1/2 inches deep. As they grow, thin them to 1 plant every 8-10 inches. Mustards may bolt early if planted in the spring.  Start Indoors: 6 weeks before the last frost  Direct Seed: 1/2" Deep Thin: 1-6" Apart Plant Outdoors: 6-8” Apart  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

Selected to hold in the field up to two weeks longer than other varieties for an extended harvest. High Mowing Organic Seeds - Rich blue-green cabbage-like leaves. Plants are bolt-resistant, productive, and hardy. Waxy leaf surface provides natural protection from cabbage worms. Characteristics:  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  Improved Vates-type  24-36" tall  Compact habit  70 days 1/32 oz approx.    Instructions - Days to maturity are from direct seeding. Sow fall plantings two months before first expected frost for full size and up until frost for baby leaf.  Plant 1/4-1/2" Deep Plant Rows 18-30" apart  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

Seed Exchange - (Brassica oleracea) (aka Blue Stem, Vates Non-Heading) Developed by and named for the Virginia Truck Experiment Station. Dark green leaves on upright 24-inch plants. Known for lack of purpling in veins and leaves. Excellent variety for boiling. Bolt and frost resistant. 60-80 days. ±7,000 seeds/oz.  Known for its lack of purpling Grows to 2 feet tall Excellent variety for boiling Bolt and frost resistant 60-80 days 100 Seeds per packet   Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Plant out just before the last frost. Can also be direct seeded outdoors 3 months before fall frost. Collards are most tender and delicious after a frost. Harvest may continue even after snow. Start Indoors: 6-8 weeks before the last frost Germination: 3-10 Days Plant Outdoors: 24” Apart Light: Full Sun   Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability We are always adding new varieties so please check back often at Seeds - Vegetables (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)  

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - Alabama heirloom, original seedstock from Jean Mills. Introduced 2015 by SESE. Landrace with wide variation in beautiful leaf colors. Green, blue-green, and purple leaves with white, pale green, and plum-colored veins. Smaller leaves than most collards; plants can be more closely spaced. The leaves are more tender and faster to cook, and the plants hold their sweetness longer in hot weather. Blue-leaved collards have become rare, we hope to get more folks growing these again! Certified Organic  Heirloom  Especially well-suited to the Southeast  From Small Farms  High in iron and in vitamins A and C  Instructions - Grow best on a rich, moist, well-drained loam of high fertility. Needs a steady supply of water and full sun throughout the growing season. A thick layer of organic mulch will conserve moisture and reduce the tendency to bolt in hot weather. Tendency to bolt is affected more by root temperature than air temperature. Clip individual leaves before they are 12 in. long.  Heat-tolerant  Winter-hardy from Virginia southward  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

High Mowing Organic Seeds - Spice up your greens with this flavorful mix! A variety of spicy mustard flavors, colors, and shapes. Includes our favorite spicy mustards and some secret ingredients for a signature mix with extreme diversity. Can be marketed and used as a braising mix if grown to full size. Characteristics: Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  A spicy blend of mustards and other favorites  HMOs Exclusive  Instructions - Direct seed as soon as soil can be worked. Sow every 3 weeks into fall for a continuous harvest. Harvest leaves as desired. Use floating row cover when planting to protect from flea beetles. For baby leaf: plant 1/4" deep  For baby leaf: row spacing: 2/3" between bands For full size: thin to 6"  For full size: row spacing: 18" Harvest & Storage - Harvest when leaves are ~3” tall by cutting 1” from the ground or pick individual leaves for cut and come again.   Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

More is on the way, it will arrive 3/15 and is worth the wait! Seed Exchange - Donated to SSE in 1989 by Ralph Blackwell of Alabama. Ralph's family grew this variety for over a hundred years and his mother used it to make a dish similar to sauerkraut. Plants grow to 2' tall with blue-green leaves and purple stems/veins. Very good eating qualities. 60-80 days. Organic Plants grow to 2 feet tall Blue-green leaves with purple stems & veins Very good eating qualities 60-80 days   Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors 3 months before the last frost or sown inside for an early summer harvest.  If sowing indoors, start 6-8 weeks before the last frost and plant right before the last frost. All collards are the most tender after a frost and can be harvested in snow. Plant 4" apart Plant 1/2" Deep Plant Rows 20-24" apart  Thin 12" Apart  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability We are always adding new varieties so please check back often at Seeds - Vegetables (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)