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                  
      T                
      P P              

(Best months for growing Collards in USA - Zone 5a 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 8°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 40 - 50 cm 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
  • Collard leaves

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

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.
One of the most common vegetables in East Africa.
In the United States, collard greens symbolize Southern culture and African-American culture and identity.

Your comments and tips

05 Sep 07, jimmy williams (Unknown climate)
Collards are good and tasty - a very good vegetable to plant.
07 Jan 08, Murray Crawford (Unknown climate)
Can you tell me where i can buy collard greens seeds or plants in Australia?
17 Feb 08, Katrina (Unknown climate)
re: Collard seeds Hi Murray, if you are still looking for collard green seeds, there are several online seed stores which sell them. Collard greens are also known as kale, so this is the name you need to use when searching. These seed sellers sell kale: Green Harvest http://www.greenharvest.com.au/seeds/vegetables_cabbage.html#Kale ) Cornucopia Seeds (on E-bay) and Eden Seeds http://www.edenseeds.com.au/content/default.asp ) Hope this helps :)
10 May 08, Dave (Unknown climate)
You can buy collard greens seeds from Brisbane Organic Growers Inc,102 McDonald Rd,Windsor,QLD.4030
03 Jul 08, Omera (Australia - tropical climate)
Can you tell me if I can buy calaloo seeds or plants in Australia? Thanks
06 Jul 08, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Omera, you might want to get amaranth seeds, which according to wikipedia is used in callaloo. Eden Seeds sell amaranth by through their online shop in Australia.
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??
Showing 1 - 10 of 106 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Collards

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.