I have never had any luck growing brassicas, even when I buy the seedlings, but once again, I gave in and bought seeds. This time, though, I'm hoping I can do better by getting some advice along the way.
First of all, should I be potting up as I do with my tomatoes?
Sequee,
Could you be a bit more specific as to which Brassicas you are referring to? I lived most of my life in the South of England, where the weather is probbably similar to yours. Most of the popular Brassicas - cabbage, kale, caulis, turnips, etc - are pretty hardy, and normally sown direct into the ground in early spring. We might sow some in modules to get an early start; but we'd plant out straight from the modules as soon as we'd hardened them off. Here in zone 4 we generally start them in modules because the growing season is so short.
In this flat I have Falstaff Brussel Sprouts, Kolibri Kohlrabi, and Batavian Endive. Also the first Sea Kale is up, but I know I need to treat that one differently. (I have to learn how to blanch the seedlings - another thread!!!) All packets recommended starting indoors, but didn't indicate if I should pot up.
I'm wondering if I can put them outside if I create a cold-frame type shelter for them in the square foot beds,at least until they get strong enough on their own.
Any thoughts on that?
I think patgeorge gave sound advice. They're very tough and will easily stand re-potting and/or transplanting. Twenty years ago and maybe even now, the seed and feed stores used to sell cabbage plants in bareroot bundles of 25. They'd still have a little soil hanging on and be wrapped like a burrito in damp paper. All they needed was watering well. Be sure to set them deep enough to avoid weak necks.
My zone is a different world so I'm not experienced with spring planting. I do know my seedlings suffered through an unusually cold winter. When I finally planted them out, the broccoli, cauliflower, pak choi and napa bolted as fast as they could. The broccoli and cabbage planted 6 weeks ago are still trying to make up their minds.
Twiggybuds
You can still buy bundles like that in some markets in England. Trouble is they are sometimes infected with clubroot, and once you've got it in your soil it's very hard to get rid of. It's safer to start from seed and have clean stock. Maybe you don't have clubroot in your part of the world?
Thank you. I weill begin to harden them off this week so they will be ready to go "under glass" next week. (Not in the daytime, of course. just as needed for the wind weather, which we are still being blessed with. Friday and Saturday pm dropped to the 20's; today is Monsoon Monday; tomorrow more of the same, then a gradual increase to the 70's for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!
I haven't bought any veg plants in quite a few years. Since I figured out how to do it, seeds are just so much more fun and healthier. I know it sounds completely crazy but my favorite parts of gardening are seed shopping, starting and watching them grow. Once the harvest starts, so does the work.
I've had decent luck with brassicas except for issues with heat, and this year heat, cold and excess rain. I think most of us could be great gardeners if the weather would just settle down. I'm about to forget what normal feels like.
Sequee I just saw your post and you do have my sympathies. That's just completely nuts.
Our daytime temps are up in the 80's already - all of my cabbage has gone to seed and & the brussels have just bushed out everywhere (they are just too pretty to pull up!). My broc & cauli are long gone. I think we have maybe a couple of months of OK weather before it gets too hot for many veggies. I will replant cabbage, brussels, broc & cauli in late September - brassicas do well here right through winter with no effort.
Starting Thursday, I see high 70s predicted for several days. I've got a bad feeling that I'm not going to get any cabbage or broccoli off my last bunch. Grrrrrrr. The broccoli heads are no bigger than 50 cents and the cabbage is in no hurry to make a solid head. If I knew for sure, I'd snatch them out and plant something else. It really is nerve wracking.
Hold onto your hat meisgreen - we're going to be very windy and cooler tomomrrow and Thursday. And another chance of rain - lol. If we can stay cool and get some rain through April I'll feel that it was a nice spring. Not wanting to see 100° already like last April.
Kelly, we can SAY its too early to see spring go but we KNOW that summer is just a degree away!
Twiggybuds, have you thought about planting your cabbage in September or October? If you are in a zone 8b they might be able to handle it. Mine thrived through the few freezes we had. In fact, I'd say all of my brassicas did very well. Come fall (or really just the later part of summer here) I'll only plant those & maybe onions. They did ok, too. Oh, and carrots and turnips. I'm starting to feel like Steve Martin in The Jerk. And I can't forget radishes! LOL
In the past, the only time I ever planted cole crops was the fall and normally they do quite well. For 7 months last year the weather was wacko and I got cheated out of a lot of things. Jan and Feb were outrageously cold and March has almost been nice. My nights are still a bit chilly but the trend is in the right direction. Wouldn't it be nice if we could all have everything we like year round?
lol Jeanine - it hit 90° today...
twiggy - my dream is for lettuce and big fat tomatoes together. Haven't been too successful in that timing yet!
Well, since ya'll are talking temps, could you tell me the ideal temps for growing lettuce? I direct sowed seeds around 2/27/10 and it is just now starting to take off.
This pic was taken 03/16/10.
Thanks!
Lettuce bolts for me fairly early in the spring (if the temps hit 80° or higher), though this year I have leaf lettuce that is still going strong with no bitterness. We did hit 90° yesterday;o( If you can keep it moist and a bit shaded you should be ok with it for a while - at least until it's big enough to eat;o)
Thank, Kell! When do you normally sow lettuce seeds? Should I go ahead and sow it at the end of the summer with the brassicas, around the beginning of August?
I usually don't sow lettuce until mid-October, though leaf lettuce you can sow a bit earlier, maybe a couple weeks. Lettuce will not germinate in hot soil...
I see. Thanks!
Last year I had a GREAT crop of lettuce with absolutely no problem. This season different story. Most never got any bigger then a few inches at best. My mustards did quite well but not the lettuce. Out of frustration I went to Summer Winds and bought a 6 pack of red romaine so I could have something. Still have 2 left; they ended up doing quite well but what a let down! I think I've put them in as seedlings in November.
Isn't this weird weather or what?
Jeanine
Sure is weird. How 'bout we haven't gotten any rain yet today!
I am picking lettuce right now - a nice salad bowl full every other day out of a 4' plot, using "cut and come again" harvesting. I've got buttercrunch mostly and then a red romaine and a regular green-type romaine.
It's about the only veggie I'm growing with good success. This is from seeds thrown out under a "live oak" tree for two or three weeks in a row starting in mid to late January, I think. I have been picking it for the last month at least. It hasn't bolted yet. It gets dappled light and only some direct morning sun.
Swiss chard seems to be liking this environment too - I just put in some store-bought transplants maybe a month ago and am growing it for the first time. It is doing well so far. I'm trying to figure what else might go into that dappled light environment once the lettuce is gone.
Lise - most greens will take dappled light although they may not grow as vigorously. Might help you extend the greens season before the heat hits...
My swiss chard, which suffered this winter, is looking great right now - and too bad as I'd really like to plant something else there :-)
You and me both Jeanine... I even still have beets growing. Course we only eat the greens but they're still going strong...
Uh Kelley, just ship me the beet bottoms...
lol - they're probably not too good by now, but the greens are outstanding. Temps are heading to the 90s real soon so will have to say bye-bye beet greens here real soon.
Didn't get mine down in time. Will play catch up in the fall! But, the turnips are looking fabulous!
Update on Brocolli: The plants I pulled up back in Feb and threw into one of my compost piles is still thriving. Don't know how but I'll have to get a picture of it.
Sequee,
Was just wondering how your Brassicas are doing? We have gone from unseasonably warm to probably a little warmer than seasonal.
I am just getting around to seeding. I have an unheated greenhouse and am thinking that once they come up inside, I will put them out there. Any comments?
