Growing Collards, also Collard greens, Borekale

Brassica sp. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      S S S S          
          T T T T      
      P P P P          

(Best months for growing Collards in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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 46°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 16 - 20 inches apart
  • Harvest in 8-11 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile)
  • Avoid growing close to: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chili, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
18 May 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Eva, they are a plant called collards - a type of loose-leafed cabbage.
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15 May 10, Iina L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I'm also looking for collard green seeds that will grow in a sub-tropical climate (Queensland). It would be nice to find a variety that looks nice in the garden as well as being edible. Can anyone give guidance?
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18 May 10, (Australia - temperate climate)
Eden seeds might be able to help - they have collard seeds and are in Queensland.
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17 Jun 10, fransisca (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
where to buy a collard green in aussie market?? i cant find that kind of vegetable at safeway
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26 Aug 10, harry testoni (Australia - temperate climate)
to david who is having trouble getting collard seeds give me call on the net and i can give you a few seeds to get started. cheers harry.
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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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02 Dec 10, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Ornamental kales are quite safe, but don't taste as nice as the culinary types. Curly leafed kale is a culinary variety and tastes fine. I got seeds from Eden seeds.
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05 Dec 10, Sri (Australia - temperate climate)
Also to clarify ornamental does not mean poisonous it just means its not the best suited to consuming. Also ornamental Kale is regularly found in amongst the vegetable seedlings in plant nurseries because most of the staff who place the seedlings dont know any different.
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Showing 21 - 30 of 106 comments
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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

- shaun

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