Spring Crops from Over-wintered Brassicas?

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deepinferns Clayton, GA Mar 09, 2009

Hi Everyone,

I haven't grown collards, kale or brussel sprouts before. I planted young seedlings last Fall and all plants had growth, but of course when really cold weather arrived, they stopped producing. They survived the Winter, still green, though all are immature with approx. 3/8" bottom stems. They all had some freeze damage on some of the leaves, which I've clipped away. The "new" growth is slight so far ... with warmer weather for the past couple of weeks. New growth appears green and healthy, though the brussel sprouts already started forming a closed "sprout" at the growing point last Fall. All of these plants are approx. 8" tall at the moment.

Now that warmer Spring temps have arrived, I've applied fresh manure & pelletized lime and cultivated the soil around each plant.

I'm wondering if these plants will begin to grow again, grow "normally" and produce mature vegetables? or would I do better to replace with new plants for late Spring produce?

Thanks,

Lil

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Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) Mar 09, 2009

Typically over wintered brassicas will "bolt" in the spring, i.e. send up seed heads. Great if you wish to save seeds. They don't usually do much in the way of new vegetation tho. My overwintered collards, turnips, mustard, and rutabagas are already blooming. Bees are having a field day. I have cabbage collard from I will save seeds, the others I will turn down as green manure as soon as the bees are through with them.

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deepinferns Clayton, GA Mar 09, 2009

Thanks Farmerdill ... with only one temp zone between us, mine probably aren't far behind. Something was stirring deep that these over-wintered have produced all they, so I'm glad I asked & you answered. I wouldn't mind collecting seed, and good work for those bees, but space is limited in this particular garden ... the ground is prepped, so to market tomorrow to fetch a few babies. Best :)

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