Flash Collard brings the robust nutrition of traditional collards with the convenience of a 55-day harvest window. This Vates-type F1 hybrid thrives in full sun and adapts beautifully to both Northern and Southern growing conditions, with cold tolerance that actually improves its flavor after frost. At just 1-inch spacing with 18-inch rows, it maximizes garden productivity while delivering exceptional vitamin K content that supports brain health.
Full Sun
High
3-9
?in H x ?in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Flash stands out as a remarkably versatile collard that performs equally well in spring, summer, or fall plantings across diverse climates. Its compact bush habit and tight spacing requirements make it perfect for intensive gardening, while the frost-enhanced flavor means Northern gardeners can enjoy truly exceptional taste as temperatures drop. The hybrid vigor provides consistent, high-quality leaves that can be harvested continuously from baby stage through full maturity.
Flash Collard excels in traditional Southern cooking where leaves are slow-cooked with aromatics, but its tender texture when harvested young makes it equally suitable for fresh applications like salads and smoothies. The leaves can be harvested at baby stage (6-8 inches) for multiple cuttings or allowed to reach full size for hearty braised dishes. Its exceptional vitamin K content makes it particularly valuable for health-conscious cooks seeking nutrient-dense greens.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the anticipated transplant date, with May through July starts allowing for June through August transplanting for fall crops.
Transplant seedlings with 1-inch spacing between plants and 18-inch row spacing, working in 1/2 cup of complete fertilizer around each plant. Days to maturity are calculated from transplant date.
Direct sow in June through July for fall crops, covering seed with loose soil, vermiculite, or sifted compost and watering evenly.
Begin harvesting individual leaves from the bottom up about 2 months after planting, using scissors or a knife for clean cuts. Harvest baby leaves at 6-8 inches for multiple harvests, or allow leaves to reach full size. Cold weather and frost enhance flavor significantly, with harvesting continuing until hard freeze kills the plant. The eating quality improves through late fall with light frost exposure.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.