When to Plant Collards in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide

Sow March to August. Right now in September it is out of season. The next sowing month is March.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Collards guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Collards

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Collards (also called collard greens or borekale) are a non-heading brassica producing large, flat, dark green leaves on sturdy stems. More heat-tolerant than cabbage and kale, and equally cold-hardy, making them one of the most versatile brassica greens for Australian gardens. The flavour is mild and slightly sweet, improving after frost exposure. Underutilised in Australia but gaining popularity.

Planting Calendar for Arid / Semi-Arid

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - S/D S/T/D S/T/D T/D T T - - - -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 22.7°C (optimal range: 8–30°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Alice Springs), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Collards in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia

When to Plant

March-August. Avoid summer heat. Requires consistent irrigation.

Soil
Rich, well-drained soil amended with plenty of compost and aged manure. Tolerates heavier clay soils better than most brassicas.
pH Range
6.0-6.8
Sunlight
Full sun (6+ hours). Tolerates part shade, especially in warmer zones. Minimum 3 hours direct sun.
Spacing
60cm apart, 75cm between rows
Watering
Deep watering 2-3 times per week. Consistent moisture produces tender leaves. Drought stress toughens leaves and may trigger bolting. Drip irrigation ideal.

Companion plants: Onion, Garlic, Celery, Dill, Chamomile, Nasturtium (trap crop)

Avoid planting near: Strawberry, Tomato, Other brassicas in succession (disease buildup)

Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Collards

Recommended Varieties

  • Georgia Southern (most heat tolerant)
  • Vates

Key Challenges

  • Water demand
  • Extreme heat still stresses even heat-tolerant collards

Pro Tips

  • Shade cloth (30-50%) extends growing season
  • Drip irrigation essential
  • Mulch heavily to conserve moisture

Harvesting Collards

When ready: Leaves are large (20-30cm), dark green, and firm. Harvest from the bottom of the plant upwards. Leaves should snap cleanly when bent.

How to harvest: Cut-and-come-again: snap or cut lower leaves, leaving the growing tip and upper leaves to continue producing. Never harvest more than 1/3 of leaves at once.

Where to next

Also worth sowing in the arid and semi-arid zone this September: Ginger, Chilli Peppers, Lemongrass and Beetroot.

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Common Questions About Collards

When do you plant collards in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does collards grow all year round in Alice Springs?

No. In the Arid / Semi-Arid zone the planting months are Mar to Aug. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.