When to Plant Collards in Cairns, Tropical Guide

Sow April to September. 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 Tropical zone, which takes in Cairns, Townsville and Darwin. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra 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 Tropical

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

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 21.4°C (optimal range: 8–30°C) ✓ Ready to plant

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

How to Grow Collards in Tropical Australia

When to Plant

March-July (dry season). More heat-tolerant than kale but still prefers cooler conditions. Avoid wet season.

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)

Tropical Growing Tips for Collards

Recommended Varieties

  • Georgia Southern
  • Vates
  • Morris Heading

Key Challenges

  • Caterpillar and aphid pressure
  • Humidity-related diseases
  • Still prefers cool weather despite heat tolerance

Pro Tips

  • Collards are more heat-tolerant than other brassicas. Worth trying where cabbage fails
  • Harvest young leaves for best texture in warm conditions
  • Insect netting essential

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 Tropical Zones

Aphids, risk: MODERATE (score: 53/100)

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 tropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Cucumber and Basil.

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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 Cairns?

No. In the Tropical zone the planting months are Apr to Sep. 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 Tropical zone, Cairns is its reference city.