COLLARD, E.B. PAUL COLLARD

Brassica oleracea

Approximately 100 seeds per pack.

Germination ~ 97% Oct 2024 Packed for 2025

According to The Heirloom Collard Project, the E.B. Paul Collard is a family heirloom collard from E.B. Paul of Murfreesboro, North Carolina. The seed was handed down to Mr. Paul from his mother, who had raised it all her adult life. E.B. figures the collards date back to before 1930. In 2003, E.B. shared some seeds with Dr. Edward Davis, a professor of geography at Emory & Henry College, who was collecting heirloom collard strains for preservation on behalf of the USDA Accession. Our seeds were grown out by Lina Bird in Maryland.

The E.B. Paul Collard is a unique heirloom variety of collard greens. Known for its distinctive appearance and excellent flavor, this variety stands out among traditional collards. The leaves of the E.B. Paul Collard are large, broad, oval-shaped and wavy with intermediate blistering. Their color ranges from dark green with a slight blue or grayish tint. The leaves stand straight and erect.

The E.B. Paul Collards will fare well in low temperatures. The texture is smooth, and they have a mild, sweet tender quality compared to other collard varieties. The E.B. Paul Collard is known for its mild and sweet flavor profile, which can be enjoyed both raw and cooked. The flavor improves in cooler weather, particularly after a light frost.  This variety grows upright and forms a loose, open head. It can reach up to 3-4 feet in height under ideal conditions.

Growing Tips:

Plant in rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. A soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal for optimal nutrient uptake.  Like most collards, the E.B. Paul Collard requires full sunlight for best growth but can tolerate some partial shade, especially in hotter climates.

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulching around the plants helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.  Collards prefer cooler temperatures and are more productive in spring and fall. This variety is frost-tolerant, and its flavor can improve after exposure to cooler temperatures.

Use a balanced fertilizer rich in nitrogen to encourage leafy growth. Compost or a nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer can be applied at the beginning of the season and as a side-dressing during growth.

Watch for pests like aphids, cabbage worms, and flea beetles. Companion planting with herbs like basil or flowers like marigolds can help deter pests, or use row covers for added protection.

Harvest E.B. Paul Collard leaves when they reach a usable size, starting from the outermost leaves. They are best picked young and tender for salads or left to mature for cooking.