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 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

Your comments and tips

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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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02 Dec 10, TB (Australia - temperate climate)
No, curly kale is a vegetable. I think it would be hard to mistake ornamental kale seedlings for edible kale, not least because they would be found in different sections of the garden centre! There are a number of different kinds of edible kale, more often sold as seed than as seedlings, and not that often seen at mainstream nurseries/seed suppliers.
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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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07 Mar 11, Dianne (Australia - temperate climate)
Collard seeds are available from Eden Seeds if you want to grow them.
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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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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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