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Growing Collards, also Collard greens, Borekale

(Brassica sp.)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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(Best months for planting Collards in Australia - sub-tropical regions)


  • Easy to grow.
  • Harvest in 60-80 days
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed.
  • Best planted at soil temperatures between 8°C and 30°C.
  • Space plants: 40-50cm

Leafy, green vegetable - heat tolerant so a good substitute for kale and cabbage in tropical areas.

For best flavor and texture, leaves should be picked before they reach their maximum size.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Collards

Slice and steam or use in stir-fry

Your comments and tips

24 Nov 08 Julie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi, Can you please tell me where I can buy some seeds for Collard Greens as my partner is from Alabama and I would love to surprise him - We live in Melbourne
31 Dec 08 Michelle (Australia - temperate climate)
According to Wiki, Collards are also known as Borekale, and are a member of the Brassica oleracea Acephala Group along with broccoli, cauliflower and brussels sprouts. Collards and Kale although closely related which are genetically similar, but are not the same thing. If you want Collards, be certain that you are not getting Kale.
01 Mar 09 Iain (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Collards seeds are available from thelostseed.com.au in Tasmania. They ship to most places in Australia.
26 Oct 09 RoseAnna (Australia - temperate climate)
Kale and collard greens are NOT the same vegetable. Collard greens do not have the curly-type leaf and DO taste incredibly different; almost a smokey-sort-of taste. I miss them SOOOO much. Where in Tasmania can I buy them? HELP??
13 Nov 09 stu (Australia - tropical climate)
wondering if the amarant will grow in the kimberly region!,and do you know of any side effects of eating it?
04 Jan 10 Annie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Can one use silverbeet instead of collard greens? Or maybe spinach? Would it be too much different?
21 Jan 10 Nettie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Where can I purchase seeds or seedlings of Galician Kale (Couve-galega)? It grows up to about 1 to 1.5 metres on a fairly long single stem and leaves are harvested from near the top as needed. It is common to Portugal and forms the basis of a delicious Portuguese soup called Caldo Verde.
22 Feb 10 David (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Folks, I trying to locate a supplier of Collard Greens seeds or seedlings in the Perth Western Australia area. I've scoured the usual web sites, without success. I've tried contacting Brisbane Organic Growers of Windsor QLD but it appears their web site is shut down. Can anyone please help me?
02 Mar 10 shaun (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Giot collards from Eden seed and eBay...I let them go to seed in the garden and they self sow well. Not prolific and the white cabbage butterfly have a good go at them more than anything else in the garden. Also grow Kale very well..what an under estimated beauty
02 Mar 10 shaun (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
some was asking about amaranth..there are two types one ornamental one edible as I understand..choose carefully we got ornamental by mistake and it grows like a weed although easy to see and pick out.

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See planting calendar for these countries and climate zones

Australia - cool/mountain,   Australia - sub-tropical,   Australia - temperate,   Australia - tropical,   New Zealand - cool/mountain,   New Zealand - sub-tropical,   New Zealand - temperate,   United Kingdom - temperate/cool,   United Kingdom - temperate/warm  

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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