Collards are a solid addition to a microgreens lineup — they're in the Brassica family alongside kale, cabbage, and broccoli, so they share some traits but have a few distinct considerations:

Germination & Seeding
Collard seeds are medium-sized and germinate readily at 65–75°F, typically in 2–3 days. No pre-soaking needed. Seeding density around 1–1.25 oz per 10×20 tray works well — they're vigorous and don't need heavy stacking like mucilaginous seeds.

Blackout phase
They benefit from a 3–4 day blackout/weighted stacking period to encourage strong, etiolated stems before light exposure. Without adequate pressure, cotyledons can open prematurely and become leggy.

Light & Harvest timing
Collards are slower than most brassicas — expect 9–12 days to harvest (vs. 7–8 for radish). They need strong light once the blackout phase ends or you'll get pale, weak growth. Under lower-intensity setups, consider moving them closer to the light source than your faster crops.

Flavor profile & market positioning
Raw collard microgreens are mild, slightly earthy, and less peppery than arugula or radish — closer to a gentle kale. This makes them versatile for customers who want nutrient density without heat. Worth communicating that to chefs and buyers who may conflate them with spicier brassicas.

Mold risk
Like all brassicas, collards are susceptible to mold at the soil line if airflow is poor or trays stay too wet. Bottom watering is preferable, and fan circulation during the light phase is important — especially if you're in a humid environment.

Nutrient density as a selling point
Collard microgreens punch well above their weight on calcium, vitamins K and C, and glucosinolates. If you're marketing to health-focused buyers, this is a strong differentiator worth putting on your sell sheet.

Crop rotation & tray management
Since they share pest/disease pressures with your other brassicas (damping off, fungus gnats), be thoughtful about how many brassica trays you're running concurrently and ensure you're rotating shelf positions and maintaining rigorous tray sanitation between grows.

One practical tip: grow a small test batch alongside your kale and note the harvest window difference — even a day or two matters when you're coordinating delivery schedules.

No Seattle-specific collard microgreens tray pricing turned up, but here's a well-grounded estimate based on current national data adjusted for the Seattle market context:

Estimated price per 10×20 tray of collard microgreens in greater Seattle:

Channel & Price Range

• Wholesale (restaurants, grocers, ad hoc when available): $28–$38
  
• Farmers market / direct retail: $45–$60
  
• Subscription box: $35–$48

Why this range, and a few Seattle-specific factors:

Collards are a mid-tier brassica — not as premium as sunflower or pea shoots, but not a commodity like radish. Nationally, standard brassica trays wholesale at $25–$35; Seattle's higher cost of living and strong farm-to-table restaurant culture push that toward the upper end.

Seattle farmers markets (Pike Place, Capitol Hill, Ballard) support premium pricing — regular collard microgreen clamshells (2–3 oz) retail around $5–$7, which implies roughly $50+ per tray equivalent at retail sell-through.

Factors that could move your price:
- Organic certification or organic inputs → adds $5–$10/tray
- Year-round availability → restaurants pay a premium for consistent supply
- Competition density — Seattle has an active small-farm scene, so differentiation matters
- Clamshell vs. live tray — selling live trays (cut-your-own) can command 20–30% more

A reasonable target for a new collard SKU entering the Seattle wholesale market: $30–$35/tray, moving toward $38+ once you've established reliable buyers.