Why You Should Grow Tree Collards From Seed

Sequoiah from ‪@projecttreecollard‬ explains how you can get tree collards that are more adapted to your climate, soils, and moisture. While tree collard seeds are NOT true to type, they will produce some perennial tree collards that are often more resilient than ones grown from cuttings. She explains how creating a landrace of tree collards is paramount for food security for your family and your community.
Tree collards (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) are members of the brassica family. They are also known as Tree Kale or Tree Cabbage. Their relatives include traditional collards, kale, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, and cauliflower. However, unlike most of its relatives, tree collards are perennial. This means that, like a fruit tree or rose bush, they will continue to grow and produce year after year and without the need for planting new seeds or seedlings every year like traditional collards and kale. Tree collards are hardy to about 20° F (-7° c) and in mild climates have been known to live for up to twenty years! They are closely related to other perennial collard varieties grown in Mediterranean, Africa, the Americas, and other countries.
You can find Project Tree Collard at: www.projecttreecollard.org
Instagram at: / projecttreecollard
Facebook at: / projecttreecollard

[@Phantom-vy9px]

Keep the videos coming!

[@busker153]

I agree fully. My policy is to plant a ton of seeds with the hope of getting one good plant. If I plant a thousand seeds, and get one good plant, I have gotten precisely what I wanted. So, I love hearing this. I ordered seeds from you, oh.... it has to be a year and a half or so now. I got Dinosaur, Purple, Big Blue, and Jolly Green seeds. I planted them in various places on my property, and now, from all that, I have 1 Dinosaur Tree Collard, 3 Big Blue Tree Collards, and 2 Jolly Green Tree Collards. Well, that is all well and good, but I have been meaning to comment on a video of yours as soon as possible, to tell you that I have a Big Blue and a Jolly Green plant BOLTING!!!!!! Flowers!!!!!!! I'm gonna have seeds!!!!!! I'm so excited! I wanted you to know. And to say thank you. I was fortunate to have a large area to plant seeds, but still, I did it in multiple runs. Different times of the year can also have an effect.

[@projecttreecollard]

exciting William!

[@mam564]

I'm finding that I really love the baby tree collard leaves! I mix them with kale, arrugula, romaine lettuce, etc., and make the most delicious and nutritious salads! I'm so glad that I didn't give up, the initial year, due to insect infestation. Insects ebb and flow, according to the seasons. I've learned to control the size of my tree collard by chopping them in half, so they don't blow over in the wind. At first, I was afraid that I'd kill them, but they all grew back. This has been a fun venture for me! My neighbor bought seeds, so I'm starting the seeds for her. Both her sister and my son have been promised some seedlings, as well. Thanks for all that you do! I appreciate the work that you do to educate us!❤

[@projecttreecollard]

yum!

[@user-px7nh7vs4b]

Deep east Texas here. I've collected seeds from Merritt tree collards grown here (originally from seeds from you.) I do believe my plants are becoming east Texans.😊

[@projecttreecollard]

they are! i love that:)

[@ajayasir5272]

I started 4 different varieties of your tree collards this year. I hope to have at least 50 tree collards on our farm.

[@projecttreecollard]

wonderful!

[@WarmFuzzyVibes]

I started your Purple Collard seeds a week or so ago and most have germinated. I did reserve about half the packet of seeds in reserve. I have an area and I wish I had more room but as these grow bigger, I plan to plant them maybe in the fall time. The summer is very hot here in Central Texas, but winters are fairly mild. I am looking forward to growing these!

[@projecttreecollard]

sounds like a smart strategy!

[@arturoolmos8202]

Have you done a video on starting from seeds?

[@projecttreecollard]

not yet

[@arturoolmos8202]

Thank you for the response. I have been looking and can't find anyone that has.

[@lynnlovessoil]

Thanks for all the seed saving tips and sharing with the community. My neighbors will be very happy in a couple years

[@projecttreecollard]

yes! they will

[@ronneves9039]

I originally ordered cuttings of Merrit and Purple Tree collards and those have done wonderfully so far but the bug population has just started showing it's head here so I can't wait to see how they fair. I then realized that the Michigan Tree Collard is more cold tolereant so I've got three of those planted and they are doing well. I wanted the Michigan type because I did want a Tree collard that was already selected to tolerate our brief cold snaps in the high single digits. If I forget to cover the purple and merrit I may not have any! Thanks for the content!

[@laruebrough4117]

Thanks I have a few Merrit seeds sprouted.

[@projecttreecollard]

yay!

[@kathycook1815]

My two rooted plants I received from you were beautiful - potted them in small containers and within 2 weeks they have grown 3 inches! I will be planting them in large containers in a couple of weeks - fingers crossed they will like it. Will be keeping them in partial shade because I am in 8b very south MS and if this summer is like last summer which was extreme continuous heat and drought for a few months. We will see - I may get seeds from you for insurance. Thanks for all you do to promote these very valuable plants. Blessings.

[@projecttreecollard]

sounds exciting!

[@carolynsteele1465]

Cuttings may not thrive in my climate. I had not thought about this. I hope it is true because I ordered seeds a week ago. I will see!

[@donaldandbecki]

I bought some seeds from you,. and winter sowed them. They are coming up great!

[@projecttreecollard]

lovely

[@debcheney]

You do a great job on your videos

[@projecttreecollard]

thank you!

[@andrewsackville-west1609]

I have 2, maybe 3, plants grown from your mystery seed packet, now in their 3rd year. I saw maybe 3 because the third plant has been eaten by the dogs, again... We'll see if it comes back. Anyway, the 2 are flowering right now, and I'm excited to see how they do. Additionally, i have a cutting the always to have survived the winter, and it's flowing too! I'm going to cut that flower off to let the cutting continue to establish. Onenof the two is a purple veined variety that turned white over the winter. Super interesting!

[@projecttreecollard]

wonderful! The seed packet is called "Mixed Tree Collard Seeds" but I like your name "Mystery Seeds"

[@andrewsackville-west1609]

@@projecttreecollard ha ha, thank you, yes! That's what it's called. Lol. I have a few seeds left. Maybe it's time to start them and get some more variety. Either way, I'm impressed with how robust these plants are, and am excited to start collecting seed to ... somehow, make them even better:)

[@claymeinke5722]

Makes total sense. Hi from Central Florida. PS. were in the 90s this week, the humidity no bad yet!

[@projecttreecollard]

wow! that is pretty hot for mid march!

[@HomeandGardeningbyGrace]

Great useful information.

[@projecttreecollard]

great!

[@LoidaMayer]

I love all the information. Could you talk a little about planting in containers. Which kind you think will do best in a container. Thank You

[@projecttreecollard]

that's a good topic for a future video thx!

[@richstone2627]

Great video. I always enjoy watching your videos. Your Tree Collards look beautiful Thank you for sharing your knowledge, time and Tree Collard products.

[@projecttreecollard]

awww! thx

[@debrad]

Do you have a video showing how to start the tree collards from seeds? Can’t find one.

[@projecttreecollard]

not yet but its on my list:)

[@JoyceCooper-h7j]

Hello Sequoia thanks for your great videos! I have a Meritt collard has grown many branches for propagating. I never topped it so why is it growing so vigorously? Also it has purple leaves also. Is it do to the cold weather here in Florida? Never got seeds yet.

[@memebzk5001]

Lol I wish I watched this vid 1st before placing an order for cuttings...

[@projecttreecollard]

you can always get seeds later:)

[@livefromplanetearth]

💒🙏🏾🫡

[@lynnlovessoil]

Why I ordered seeds instead of starts. And also because you said free Michigan seeds with order. A gardener can’t resist feee seeds. 😂

[@projecttreecollard]

yes! I love doing seed promotions:)

[@busker153]

I would like to caution people about babying their plants. If you really want to know which seeds had the genetics to thrive in your area, use the S.T.U.N. method like I do. For those new to the method, it means Strategic Total Utter Neglect. What does that mean? What does that look like? I planted the seeds, watered them in, recorded it in my Farm Log Book, put them on my prayer list, and forgot about them. Those that grow are suitable to thrive in my garden. And the results? Well, your Tree Collards lived (thrived, actually) through last summers month and a half long heat wave slash drought. I am in Tucson, AZ. Well, after surviving the summer from Mordor (LOL), we had five frosts, a couple hard frosts, and three snows. Yea, in Tucson. I know, right? Well, we enjoyed watching your plants in our garden with a covering of snow, looking around asking around to all who would listen, "Is it cold enough for ya?!?" LOL So, in conclusion, I must say, I am dazzled completely. Oh, did I mention I don't water my food forest? Here in the Sonoran Desert!

[@projecttreecollard]

This is very impressive and I agree. Most people think I baby the plants and fertilize all the time but it isn't true.