When to Plant Collards in Canberra, Cold / Highland Guide

Sow August to March. Right now in September you can sow.

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 Cold / Highland zone, which takes in Canberra, Cooma and Bright. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Alice Springs 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 Cold / Highland

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

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 11.2°C (optimal range: 8–30°C) ✓ Ready to plant

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

How to Grow Collards in Cold / Highland Australia

When to Plant

October-March. Frost hardy. Will survive highland winters with protection.

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)

Cold / Highland Growing Tips for Collards

Recommended Varieties

  • Vates (most cold-hardy)
  • Champion

Key Challenges

  • Very slow growth in winter
  • Short productive season

Pro Tips

  • One of the hardiest leafy greens for cold climates
  • Frost improves flavour by converting starches to sugars
  • Mulch heavily around base for winter protection

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.

Common Collards Pests in Cold / Highland Zones

Aphids, risk: MODERATE (score: 54/100)

Organic prevention: Net from planting. Companion plant with herbs. Inspect leaf undersides regularly.

View all pest alerts →

Where to next

Also worth sowing in the cold and highland zone this September: Sweet Corn, Beetroot, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

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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 Canberra?

No. In the Cold / Highland zone the planting months are Jan to Mar, Aug to Dec. 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 Cold / Highland zone, Canberra is its reference city.