Cole Crops for the Home Vegetable Garden

I enjoy growing vegetables. I appreciate all the varieties one can plant if one looks for different colors and shapes. One such group of plants is the "cole" crops. The name "cole" comes from the German word for cabbage. Cole crops are members of the family Brassicaceae, formerly called Cruciferae, for their cross-shaped flowers. The brassicas are a popular group that includes broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, and turnips. They are cool-weather plants that do not tolerate high temperatures, thriving in 60° to 65°F temperatures. This makes them good early spring and fall crops.

Successful production of cole crops is related to how each crop grows and which plant part you plan to eat. The edible parts of broccoli and cauliflower are the flower heads, which are sensitive to environmental stresses, including temperature and nutritional stresses. Brussels sprouts and cabbages produce leafy heads and can withstand more significant fluctuations in weather and nutrition. Most cole crops can withstand a frost and do not do well in warm weather. However, plants demonstrate slow growth when grown in cold, wet soils.

Usually, successful gardens start with the soil. Cole crops like well-drained soils. A soil pH of 6.0 to 6.8 is best. Cole crops are heavy feeders and benefit from organic matter. They tend to have shallow roots. It is best to keep them well-weeded and not permit the weeds to get large.

Most gardeners grow this group from transplants because the seed is very fine and difficult to handle. A good transplant is five or six weeks old, sturdy and not leggy, has good color, and has been hardened off. Older transplants tend not to yield as well as younger transplants. Space rows 24 to 36 inches apart, set transplants 12 inches apart. Correct spacing is essential for a good crop yield.

Pest control can make or break a good yield. Crop rotation is a key to a good yield. Do not plant any cole crop in a spot where a brassica family member grew during the previous year. If you can make it a three-year rotation, that is the best. Flea beetles can do severe damage to leaves by chewing tiny holes in the young seedlings. The larval stages of several species of butterflies and moths can do severe damage. No one likes finding cabbage worms in your cabbage, broccoli, or cauliflower. Row covers can help with these pests. You can also hand-pick the caterpillars.

Cabbage transplants are usually available in several varieties, green or red colors and round or flat shaped. Harvest cabbages when the head is very firm. Cabbage heads can "split" from irregular watering. A consistent supply of water will help stop heads from splitting.

There are four major groups of cauliflower. Italian is the most popular. This group includes white, Romanesco, and various brown, green, purple, and yellow cultivars. I enjoy growing these for the unusual colors and textures. Cauliflower is best grown as a fall crop. Late-season plantings made in late July or early August ensure harvesting before autumn frost. Harvest cauliflower heads when they reach 5 to 8 inches wide.

Broccoli provides more than one harvest. The part of the plant you eat is an immature flower. Heads should reach 3 to 6 inches. After the center head is cut, several smaller side shoots will grow as large as 2 to 3 inches.

Brussel sprouts are small cabbage-like heads that develop along a thick stalk. They mature at the bottom of the stalk first. To harvest, remove the long leaves between the sprouts. Brussels sprouts are very hardy and can withstand several frosts and even an early snow.

Kale can be harvested at various stages and is a non-heading cole crop. Tender young leaves are best for salad. Older leaves are suitable for cooking or chips. Kale and Brussels sprouts benefit from a fall frost to improve the flavor.

Kohlrabi is a short-season vegetable. It should be harvested when its swollen stem is no larger than a baseball. Larger stems may become tough and woody. Some gardeners think that the red varieties are sweeter than the white.

Cole crops offer a variety of plants of different shapes, colors, textures, and tastes. Let this be the year you try something new.