Growing Brassicas:

Brassicas are a family of plants such as Cauliflower, Broccoli, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Kale, & Collards.  All are relatively heavy feeders and do best with a fertile soil and a pH above 6.4.  Make sure your crops have enough water or rainfall throughout the growing season. 

Set out transplants when weather cools down from the heat of summer, but well before your last frost date, usually mid September-early October.  While brassicas will survive a frost, a heavy freeze (below 25) may damage the plant and cause ‘buttoning’, tiny heads on cauliflower and sometimes broccoli.  Set plants approx. 16" apart. 

Watch for cabbage worms and at the earliest sign of leaves with tiny holes in them, spray BT underneath all of the leaves on a regular routine of once a week.  Harvest broccoli and cauliflower when heads are fully formed but before flowers start to form.  Side shoots will continue to grow off the main stem after harvesting the main head.  Harvest Kale leaves at any age, removing the outer leaves and leaving the inner leaves to grow throughout the season.  Brussels Sprouts should be picked as they come to size, before flowering.  Cabbages should be picked when heads are about the size of a cantaloupe.