Whaley’s Favorite Cabbage Collards
Brassica oleracea
Seeds per pack ~ 100
Germination: 81% Jun 2024 Packed for 2025
Origins and History
Whaley’s Cabbage Collard is a rare and treasured heirloom variety that originates from the Whaley family of South Carolina, where it was carefully stewarded for generations. Unlike many collards that have remained leafy and open, this variety developed a unique heading habit more akin to cabbage, making it a standout in the history of Southern greens. Passed down through family seed saving traditions, Whaley’s Cabbage Collard represents the cultural and agricultural heritage of the American South, embodying both resilience and adaptation to local growing conditions.
Appearance and Characteristics
This heirloom is distinct in forming a loose, rounded head resembling cabbage while maintaining the tenderness of collards. Its leaves are broad, smooth, and light to medium green, with a slightly crinkled edge. Plants can grow tall and sturdy, with heads averaging 12–16 inches across. The flavor is mild and sweet compared to standard collards, and the texture is more tender, especially after light frost, which enhances the sweetness. This unique combination of cabbage-like form and collard flavor makes it an especially attractive variety for home gardeners and heirloom seed enthusiasts.
Culinary Uses
Whaley’s Cabbage Collard is highly versatile in the kitchen. Traditionally, it is simmered slowly with smoked meats, onions, and spices in Southern cooking. Its tender leaves make it ideal for steaming, braising, or even using fresh in wraps and salads. Because the leaves are smoother and less fibrous than most collards, they require less cooking time and are excellent for quick sautés or stir-fries. The mild, slightly nutty flavor pairs well with beans, rice dishes, and cornbread, continuing its place as a staple green in Southern cuisine.
Growing Tips (Vegetation Zones and Sow Depth)
This collard variety thrives in USDA Zones 7–10, but with proper timing it can be grown successfully in Zones 5–6 as well. It prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Direct sow seeds ¼–½ inch deep, spacing plants 18–24 inches apart to allow the heads to develop fully. Collards are cool-season crops, so sow in early spring for a summer harvest, or late summer for a fall and winter harvest. Mulching around the plants helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. While hardy, Whaley’s Cabbage Collard benefits from consistent watering and a balanced fertilizer to encourage lush growth.
Harvesting Guidance
Whaley’s Cabbage Collard can be harvested in two ways. Gardeners may pick individual outer leaves once they reach 8–10 inches long, allowing the plant to continue producing through the season. Alternatively, the entire cabbage-like head may be harvested when it reaches maturity, generally about 80–90 days after planting. For the best flavor, harvest after a light frost, as the cold concentrates sugars in the leaves, giving them a sweeter, milder taste. Once cut, collards can be stored refrigerated for up to a week, but are best enjoyed fresh for maximum tenderness and flavor.
