Growing Morris Heading Collard Greens in Your Garden

Morris Heading collard greens are a distinctive variety that forms loose, attractive heads while maintaining the tender leaves gardeners love. With their unique appearance and excellent flavor, Morris Heading collards add both visual interest and nutritional value to your garden. This variety is particularly rewarding for gardeners who appreciate plants that are as beautiful as they are productive.

Understanding Morris Heading Collards

Morris Heading collards stand apart from traditional spreading varieties by developing a loose, cabbage-like head formation. The leaves are deeply savoyed with a blue-green color and remain remarkably tender even as they mature. This variety offers excellent cold hardiness and actually develops sweeter, more flavorful leaves after exposure to frost. It's an ideal choice for fall and winter gardening in most climates.

Planting Requirements

Start Morris Heading collard seeds directly in the garden or begin indoors 5 to 7 weeks before your transplant date. These plants need full sun—at least 6 hours daily—and rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter worked in. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart to allow room for head development. Plant in early spring for summer harvests or in mid-summer for fall and winter crops when flavor is at its peak.

Watering and Soil Care

Keep soil consistently moist throughout the growing season, providing 1 to 1.5 inches of water weekly through rain or irrigation. Mulch around plants with 2 to 3 inches of organic material to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Morris Heading collards are heavy feeders, so apply a balanced fertilizer every 3 to 4 weeks or side-dress with compost to support vigorous growth and head formation.

Supporting Head Development

As your Morris Heading collards grow, gently tie loose leaves together with soft twine once the head begins to form. This encourages tighter head development and protects inner leaves from weather and pests. Remove any yellowed or damaged outer leaves to improve air circulation and reduce disease pressure. This light pruning also directs energy toward head formation.

Pest and Disease Management

Monitor regularly for cabbage worms, flea beetles, and other brassica pests. Use row covers during early growth stages for protection. Inspect plants weekly and remove pests by hand when possible. Ensure adequate spacing and air circulation to prevent fungal diseases. Remove lower leaves as plants mature to improve ventilation around the developing head.

Harvesting Your Crop

Begin harvesting outer leaves once plants reach 12 inches tall, typically 60 to 75 days after planting. You can harvest individual leaves or cut the entire head once it reaches desired size. For extended harvests, pick outer leaves regularly while allowing the center to continue growing. Harvest in the morning for the crispest, most tender leaves.

Cooking and Storage

Morris Heading collards are versatile in the kitchen—steam, sauté, braise, or add to soups and stews. Their tender texture and mild flavor make them appealing to a wide range of palates. Store fresh leaves in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or blanch and freeze for longer storage. The distinctive head formation also makes them attractive for fresh market sales if you're growing for profit.

• Extremely tender, medium green leaves are broad and slightly crumpled
  
  - Compact plant forming loose heads of short steamed leaves
  
  - Tolerant of heat and cold and very rich in vitamins and minerals
  
  - The juicy leaves have a mild cabbage-like flavor and are delicious boiled, steamed, or as an addition to salads. 36 inches tall
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 80 days
  
  
• Collards | Plant seeds 3 to 4 weeks before your first frost for Spring harvest. Sow seeds approximately 12" from one another.
  
  Click here for complete Collards grow guide

Additional Details

Collard is widely considered to be a healthy food, collards are good sources of vitamin C and soluble fiber and contain multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties, such as diindolylmethane and sulforaphane.[citation needed] Roughly a quarter pound (approx. 100 g) of cooked collards contains 46 calories.