kale and other brassicas help needed!

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vegjen Whitehorse, Canada May 30, 2011

Advice wanted! I transplanted kale, broccoli, and cabbage about 10 days ago. I planted it into soil that had horse manure mixed in. The manure had sat in the beds for about 3 weeks and was of unknown age. I don't think it was fresh manure--it might have been 6 months to a year old. The manure was well tilled into the soil (very clay-ey soil) and it was raked to break up clumps. The leaves of the kale have turned purple since I transplanted them. A few of them have new leaves growing but most look quite stagnant, while perky and not droopy. I am worried that something is wrong. I had also transplanted extra kale into another bed that didn't have as much manure tilled in, and those kale plants are doing quite well--green leaves, growing, etc. Because both beds were planted at the same time, the only difference I can see is the soil. I am wondering if the manure was too fresh to have planted into. Thoughts? Any advice?

Out of curiosity, the spinach seems to be very happy in this soil, as does the lettuce.

I think I will give it another week or so and then if it is still looking sad, I might reseed the crop. Alternatively, I could plant some kale from seed and pinch it off if the transplants recover. Or maybe I am wasting my time and should just let the manure in the soil age until next year?....? Help very much appreciated. Thanks.

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catmad Pelzer, SC(Zone 7b) May 31, 2011

What kind of temps are you having? I have brussels sprouts that haven't budged since I planted them in Feb, it just got too warm too soon. Maybe that's part of it?

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vegjen Whitehorse, Canada Jun 01, 2011

It definitely has been warm here since planting them--24 degrees celcius (75 fahrenheit). I had another look last night and the kale is definitely stressed. The broccoli and cabbage look like they will pull through. Maybe the manure was too rich for the kale (they have a lower nutrient need than the more heavy feeders like cabbage). I might spray them all with liquid kelp or compost tea to give them a foliar feed and hope that they survive!

Thanks for your help!
Jen

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