A Guide to Growing Brassica Vegetables ( Zone 6 )
- Tips and Tricks for a Bountiful Harvest
What are Brassica Vegetables and Why Should You Grow Them in your Garden ?
Growing brassica vegetables in your garden is a great way to add variety and nutrition to your diet. These cold-hardy vegetables thrive in colder climates, making them ideal for zone 6 gardens. Not only are these vegetables packed with vitamins and minerals, but they are also easy to grow and require minimal maintenance.
Examples of brassicas that I grow in my garden:
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Bok Choy
Kale
Brussel Sprouts
Kohlrabi
Turnips
Collard
Rutabaga
Mustard
The Best Choices of Brassicas for the Garden in Zone 6
Brassicas are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in zone 6. They provide a wide variety of flavors, textures, and colors, making them a great addition to any garden. Whether you're looking for cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower or something else - there are plenty of options for growing brassicas in zone 6.
In my area, I'm able harvests twice a year, growing in the spring and the fall. They are cool-loving crops but are tolerant of mild summers. The best brassicas to grow in your garden are the ones you will eat and enjoy.
Do you need help getting your garden planned and in place. Book a free online consultation to get started on your garden plan today!
Tips on Preparing the Soil and Planting Your Brassicas
Planting brassicas in your vegetable garden can be a rewarding experience. To ensure that your plants grow healthy and strong, it's important to properly prepare the soil and practice companion planting with brassicas. If you live in zone 6, you'll need to take extra steps to make sure the soil is well-prepared for your vegetable garden.
Brassicas prefer fertile, well-drained soil with a pH level between 6.5-7.5 (adjust your pH with either limestone to increase the pH or sulfur to lower it), and amend your beds with quality organic matter.
How to Care For Your Brassicas - Watering & Fertilizing Tips
Growing Brassicas can be a rewarding experience, but it is important to make sure your plants are getting the right amount of water and fertilizer. In this article, we will discuss how to properly water and fertilize your Brassicas for optimal growth.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your Brassicas stay healthy and produce plenty of delicious vegetables.
Apply starter fertilizer at transplant.
Side dress with nitrogen fertilizer when the plant is halfway grown
Give the plant ample moisture but, to not over water
Harvesting Tips & Tricks to Maximize Your Brassica Yields
The variety of brassicas has different harvesting methods. You should make sure that the part you are harvesting is fully mature and ready to be harvested. I will go over a few of the commonly known brassicas and harvesting methods.
Broccoli:
Broccoli will form an unopened flower bud that will either grow in a large central head or several side shoots. You need to make sure you are harvesting before the flower begins to bloom, also known as bolting.
Brussels sprouts.
Brussels sprouts grow small round mini cabbage-looking heads down the stem of the plant. You should either cut or pick the round heads when they are about 1-2 inches in diameter and before the outer leaves turn yellow.
Cabbage:
Several varieties of cabbage are of different shapes and sizes. They can either develop round, flat, or pointed heads. You can harvest the cabbage head anytime once the head has formed and is firm, but before they start to split. Cut the head as close to the head as possible.
Greens(Kale, Collards, Mustard)
This category is for the green leafy vegetables in the brassica category. Typically the greens are harvested by hand or by cutting either the outer older leaves first to allow the plant to continue to produce. Others may prefer harvesting the young tender leaves instead.
Kohlrabi:
kohlrabi will begin to swell at the base of the stem, resembling a white turnip above the ground, if you allow the kohlrabi to become too large it will become hard and woody and unfavorable. You should harvest when the stem has swollen to a diameter o 2-3 inches, by pulling and planting, and harvesting the swollen stem and the leaves are edible as well.
Brassicas are great to incorporate into your garden spaces. They are very nutritious and somewhat simple to grow. Just be cautious because not only will you love your brassica harvest, but so will the deer.
Comments