Garden calendar for the kitchen garden - vegetables and herbs. See what to plant right now and for next month.

Growing Collards, also Collard greens, Borekale

(Brassica sp.)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
		S	S	T	T		S	T

(Best months for planting Collards in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings.

Easy to grow. 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. (Show °F/in)
Space plants: 40 - 50 cm apart
Harvest in 8-11 weeks.
Compatible with: Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile)
Avoid growing with: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chili, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard

Collard leaves

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

18 Oct 11, marie-line (Australia - temperate climate): I leave in Adelaide Australia and would like to know where (market/shopping centre) i can buy Collard greens here to cook myself. Kind regards Marie-Line
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03 Aug 11, Myrna Seagrave (Australia - sub-tropical climate): What are Collard Greens exactly What does Collard Greens mean? Thanks Myrna
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21 Aug 11, (Australia - temperate climate): They are a loose-leafed brassica, a bit like a kale.
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12 Apr 11, Neville (Australia - temperate climate): Can you please tell me how or where I might buy some collard seeds to grow the plant. Thank you for any help you can give me. Kind regards, Neville
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28 Feb 11, (Australia - temperate climate): I can't find collards anywhere in Melbourne, Victoria. We have three varieties of kale available; the dinasour, curly leaf variety and a small purple kind but no kale and sellers have no idea what I am talking about. I just came from living in Canada and the USA where it's available everywhere. Any help pls?
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03 Aug 11, (Australia - tropical climate): i see the seed packets everywhere in garden centres at kmart, big w, bunnings etc they are quite in fashion to grow at the moment along with purple carrots!
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07 Mar 11, Dianne (Australia - temperate climate): Collard seeds are available from Eden Seeds if you want to grow them.
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13 Nov 10, Barb (Australia - temperate climate): I am new to all this. What are collard greens?
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14 Nov 10, Sri (Australia - temperate climate): Collard is commonly known as kale and they come from the brassica family which is cabbage,broccoli,brussel sprouts etc... Most kale is ornamental and not for eating but i have seen the edible type sold in punnets at nurseries but i have to say i have not seen them for a long time.
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29 Nov 10, Marina (Australia - sub-tropical climate): "Most kale is ornamental and not for eating but i have seen the edible type sold in punnets at nurseries but i have to say i have not seen them for a long time." Is this true? Ornamental? I've got curly leafed Kale and I use it in my green smoothies. Should I be worried?
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See planting calendar for these countries and climate zones

Australia - arid, Australia - cool/mountain, Australia - sub-tropical, Australia - temperate, Australia - tropical, New Zealand - cool/mountain, New Zealand - sub-tropical, New Zealand - temperate, South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical, South Africa - Humid sub-tropical, South Africa - Semi-arid, South Africa - Summer rainfall, United Kingdom - cool/temperate, United Kingdom - warm/temperate, USA - Central West Coast, USA - Maritime Northwest, USA - Mid-Atlantic, USA - North East, USA - South East and Gulf States, USA - South West, USA - Upper Midwest

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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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