How to Grow Collards in Australia
A cool-season brassica crop for the home garden
Growing Collards at home is well within reach for most Australian gardeners, and this guide walks you through every step. They are rated beginner to grow. Saves ~$3-5 a bunch and crops for months.
This guide covers when to plant Collards in your region, the position and soil they like, how to sow and space them, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Collards are a cool-season crop, fully frost-hardy. In subtropical South-East Queensland they are sown in February, March, April, May, June, July and August. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Georgia Southern
Classic heirloom collard with big blue-green leaves. Slow to bolt and heat tolerant.
Try: Green Harvest, Eden Seeds
Champion
Compact and cold-hardy, an improvement on Vates, good for smaller beds.
Try: Eden Seeds, Mr Fothergills
Position and Soil
Give Collards full sun (at least 6 hours a day). They do best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6.5 to 7.5. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. They grow happily in a pot of 30cm+, which makes them a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed about 1 cm deep. Thin or space plants to about 45 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 10 days, fastest when the soil is between 10 and 25 degrees.
A non-heading, heat-and-cold-tolerant member of the cabbage family grown for its large smooth leaves. It is uncommon in Australia, where kale and cabbage usually fill this role, but it handles both frost and warm spells better than many brassicas and is a great cut-and-come-again green. Plant from autumn into winter; the flavour sweetens after a cool night. Net against cabbage moth.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 5 L per plant every 2 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Cabbage moth and Aphids. The main diseases to watch are Downy mildew and Clubroot. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Collards are typically ready to harvest in around 75 days (about 2 months). Fridge in a bag 4-5 days; blanch and freeze for longer.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, collards are good slow-braised Southern-style, stems removed, leaves sauteed, used as low-carb wraps and added to soups and stews. Nutritionally: very high in vitamins K, A and C and good source of calcium.
Companion Planting
Collards grow well alongside Beetroot, Onion, Dill and Nasturtium. Keep them away from Strawberry and Tomato. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Collards Growing
Add collards to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Collards in Australia?
Collards are a cool-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland they are sown in February, March, April, May, June, July and August. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Collards take to grow?
Collards are generally ready to harvest in around 75 days (about 2 months).
Can I grow Collards in a pot?
Yes. Collards grow well in a container of 30cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Collards need?
Give they full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Collards in the Plant Library
