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 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

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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
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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?
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03 Aug 10, Tonya Lee (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi David, I'm from Arkansas... I live in Brisbane though... I haven't found anything even close... They throw away the tops of Turnips here too... Maybe try an international seed supplier?
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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.
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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?
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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?
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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??
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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.
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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.
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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
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