Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Other Brassica Crops

Introduction

The term "cole crops" refers to waxy-leaved brassicas of European origin, of the species Brassica oleraceaeCabbage, broccoli and cauliflower and other brassica crops are hardy crops that are well adapted to New England. Plants maturing under cool weather conditions are of especially high quality. This diverse family has similar cultural requirements, diseases and pests.

Types and Varieties

Cabbage is the most widely grown and easily cultivated of the brassica crops. Some varieties mature in as few as 60 days or as many as 120 days from transplanting. The early and mid-season varieties are generally better suited for fresh market sales where small heads of 3-4 lb are desired. 

Cauliflower is more difficult to grow than other brassica crops. Common problems include failure to head properly and poor curd quality. For successful production of cauliflower, a fertile, moist soil relatively high in organic matter and nitrogen is needed. Buttoning is the premature formation of the head, when the leaves are not large enough to produce a head of marketable size. Conditions that reduce the vigor of the plant and retard vegetative growth, such as cold temperatures at transplanting and any of a number of other stresses appear to encourage buttoning. Cauliflower varieties range in maturity from 55 to 95 days.

Broccoli is not as exacting in its requirements as cauliflower, however, it must be harvested promptly to avoid flowering. The earliest spring plantings often experience buttoning. In summer months, temperatures over 85° F during the critical period when the head begins to form can result in poor head quality. In southern New England, broccoli is best grown as a fall crop. Broccoli varieties range in maturity from 55 to 75 days.

Brussels sprouts are generally a long season crop grown for harvest in the fall.  Brussels sprouts should be harvested when they are round, firm, tight and of good color. Brussels sprout varieties range in maturit from 90 to 110 days or longer.

Kale is cold-hardy and grows best as a fall crop when grown for full-size leaves, but can be succession-planted all season. Kale is also commonly grown as a component of salad mix (see Salad Mix Section). The flavor of the leaves is improved after a light frost.

Kohlrabi looks like a turnip growing on the top of the ground with sprouting leaves over the surface. It must be harvested when 1 1/2" to 3" in diameter or it will become tough and stringy.

Chinese cabbage (Brassica napa), Mustard (Brassica juncea) and Bok choi (Brassica rapa var. chinensis), are grown as salad or braising greens or as a heading crop. They have non-waxy leaves and most are Asian in origin. See Salad Mix section for more details on production of salad mix. Crops in this group are more susceptible to damage from flea beetles, but tend to be less attractive to caterpillars than waxy brassica crops. When grown as heading crops, these should be direct seeded from early May to mid-July depending on intended harvest date and location in New England. Chinese cabbage is especially sensitive to bolting in response to stress or cold. Nitrogen management for Chinese cabbage should differ slightly from other brassica crops (see Soil Fertility below).

Many other brassica greens, such as mizuna, mibuna, tatsoi, komatsuna, arugula, and mustard are usually direct seeded. Some varieties are prone to premature flowering, which is enhanced by cold temperatures in the spring. Transplanting, which is less common than direct seeding, can also increase premature flowering in the spring due to increased plant stress. Plant densities vary tremendously and should be geared toward the intended harvest age and size.

Brassica Crop Varieties
Broccoli - Spring-planted for summer harvest Cabbage - Early
Green Magic - DM Caraflex (pointed) 
Gypsy - DM Farao - TB
Emerald Crown Primero (red)
Imperial - DM Primo Vantage - Y
Diplomat - DM Tendersweet
Eastern Magic Tiara
   
Broccoli - Summer-planted for fall harvest Cabbage - Midseason
Emerald Crown - DM Early Thunder - Y, BR, TB
Diplomat - DM Integro (red)
Eastern Magic Omero (red) - TB
Lieutenant Red Jewel (red)
   
Cauliflower Cabbage - Late Season / Storage
Amazing Buscaro (red)
Earlisnow Passat - Y, TB, BR
Flame Star (orange) Report - Y, TB, BR, CR
Graffiti (purple) Ruby Perfection (red)
Mardi Storage #4 - Y, TB
Skywalker Typhoon - Y
Snow Crown  
Twister Cabbage - Savoy
Veronica (romanesco) - Y Alcosa - DM
Vitaverde (green) Clarissa - TB
  Deadon (tinged red) - Y
Kale Famosa - TB, DM
Darkibor  
Lacinato (toscana type) Cabbage - Chinese
Red Russian Bilko - Y, CR
Redbor (red) Blues - DM
Starbor Minuet (mini) - DM
Winterbor Miss Hong (red)
  Wawa Tsai (mini) - CR
Kohlrabi  
Azur star (purple) Pak Choi
Kolibri (purple) Joi Choi
Konan Mei Qing Choi
Korist  
Kossack (giant) Brussels Sprout
  Dagan
  Divino
  Gustus
Resistant or tolerant to: BR: black rot, CR: clubroot, DM: downy mildew, TB: tipburn, Y: yellows

Soil Fertility

Apply lime according to soil test to maintain soil pH at 6.5-6.8. Maintain a high level of calcium to minimize tip burn.

The best method to apply a small amount of boron is as an additive to the fertilizer. For example, if the level of boron in the soil is low, apply 3 lb of B (15 lb Solubor, or 30 lb Borax) per acre before planting broccoli and cauliflower, and 2 lb/A for cabbage. See Tables 6 and 6a.

For Chinese cabbage, pepper spot can develop on the stalks of the plants as a result of excess nitrate uptake. Apply only 50 lb of actual nitrogen at planting and sidedress additional nitrogen at diminishing rates as the plant nears harvest maturity, for a total of 150 lb/A. Foliar or drip applications scheduled at 6 to 8 lb per week may be the most practical.

Less nitrogen fertilizer will be needed if legume sod was plowed down or if manure was applied (see Table 1 and Table 7).

If using transplants, use of a liquid starter fertilizer at planting time is beneficial, especially with cool soil conditions. Use a high phosphorus starter fertilizer mixed at a rate of 3 lb per 50 gallons of water. Apply 8 fluid ounces (1 cup) per transplant.

PLANT NUTRIENT RECOMMENDATION ACCORDING TO SOIL TEST RESULTS FOR CABBAGE, BROCCOLI, CAULIFLOWER, AND OTHER BRASSICA CROPS
CABBAGE, BROCCOLI, CAULIFLOWER AND OTHER BRASSICA CROPS NITROGEN (N)* LBS PER ACRE PHOSPHORUS (P) LBS P2O5 PER ACRE POTASSIUM (K) LBS K2O PER ACRE
SOIL TEST RESULTS   VERY LOW LOW OPTIMUM ABOVE OPTIMUM VERY LOW LOW OPTIMUM ABOVE OPTIMUM
Broadcast and Incorporate 100 150 100 50 0 175 125 50 0
Sidedress 4 weeks after transplant 60* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOTAL RECOMMENDED 160 150 100 50 0 175 125 50 0
*CAULIFLOWER APPLY 30 LBS/A

Planting and Field Culture

Early plantings of cabbage and other brassica crops are generally made by setting out transplants grown in greenhouses or cold frames. Transplants should be 5-7 weeks old at field setting; and, for cauliflower and broccoli, transplants should be produced in greenhouses with a minimum nighttime temperature of 50° F. Excessive cold, transplant stress, inadequate fertility or other sources of stress in early stages can cause brassica crops to button, or to go to seed without heading. Transplants with thick stems are likely to head prematurely or button. Midseason and late plantings can be transplanted or direct seeded. If cabbage, broccoli or cauliflower are direct seeded, 2-3 weeks should be added to the number of days to maturity.

Generally, coarse-textured soils (sands, sandy loams, etc.) are favored for early plantings because they can be worked earlier in the spring and will warm up faster. These soils are also less likely to become waterlogged under rainy spring conditions. Finer textured soils which have a greater water holding capacity can frequently be used to advantage for producing later crops. 

Cabbage grown for fresh market should be planted to stand 12-15 in. apart within rows and 24-36 in. between rows. With most early or midseason varieties the closer spacing will give larger yields and smaller heads, which can be a more desirable size for fresh markets. Where direct seeding is used, seeding depth is 1/2-3/4 in. One-half to 1 lb of seed will be required per acre (0.125-0.25 oz per 100 feet of row) depending on variety, seed size, and spacing. Thin seedlings to desired stand when plants are 2-4 in. tall. Do not allow plants to become crowded.

Cauliflower should be planted to stand 15-18 in. apart within rows and 30-36 in. between rows. Broccoli should be spaced according to market needs. Large single heads can be achieved by a 15-18 in. spacing. To acheive three-head bunches, which require 5-6 in. heads with small stalks, plant double row beds with 36 in. between beds and 10-12 in. between rows within bed, and 6-9 in. between plants, depending on variety. Early varieties usually require closer spacing. Southern grown plants can be purchased for transplants, but insect and disease problems often accompany them. If purchasing bare root transplants from nurseries, plant soon upon receipt. Field-grown cabbage transplants, once pulled, should not be stored for longer than 9 days at 32°F or 5 days at 66°F prior to planting in the field. Cauliflower and broccoli can be direct seeded to stand, with precision type planters. Raised beds of 4 in. are recommended. For cauliflower this will require about 4 oz seed per acre (0.0625 oz per 100 feet of row); for broccoli about 0.5 to 1 lb/acre (0.125 to 0.25 oz per 100 feet of row).

Brussels sprouts are most commonly grown from transplants as a long season crop for fall harvest. Cool weather and light frosts prior to harvest increase quality. Rows are typically spaced 36 in. apart with 15 in. spacing within the row. Plants can be topped in early September, when 80% of the sprouts have reached marketable size, to improve sprout size uniformity if harvesting entire stalks. Stripping the foliage from the lower 1/2-2/3 of the plant will allow more light to reach the developing sprouts, as well as increase air circulation, both of which increase sprout quality.

Kale can be successfully grown from direct seeding or from transplants. For direct seeding, sow seed at 3-4 lb per acre in rows spaced 16-36 in. apart. Thin to 4-5 in.  apart in the row. Transplants are set in rows 16-36 in. apart and 6-12 in. apart in the row. Use wider between-row and in-row spacing for multiple hand harvests by stripping leaves. 

Kohlrabi may be grown for spring crops by transplants. Transplant into the field at the same time as broccoli or cabbage. Fall crops can be established by direct seeding between June 25 and July 15. Seed open-pollinated varieties at the rate of 2-3 lb per acre and thin to 6-8 in. between plants in the row. Precision-seed hybrid varieties. Set transplants July 20 to August 15. Space rows 18-24 in. apart.

Irrigation

The availability of water can be critical for successful production. Adequate soil water must be maintained during seedling or transplant establishment and the period of rapid vegetative growth that follows. This is extremely critical prior to head initiation for cabbage, since excessive water applied after cabbage heads have formed can result in split heads. When harvest periods of broccoli and cauliflower occur during times of high temperatures, light irrigation (0.33-0.5 in.) can be used to cool plants and help maintain quality. 

Harvest and Storage

Cabbage. Harvest as soon as the head has reached full size for the variety grown. Many varieties will stand in the field for considerable periods of time after heading without serious deterioration, but harvest should not be delayed unnecessarily as plants become more susceptible to disease and to splitting.

Cauliflower heads must be blanched in order to produce attractive white curd. Blanching refers to covering the developing cauliflower head in order to shade it from sunlight. Newer varieties are self-blanching or self-wrapping. Unless a variety is reported as being self-blanching, when the head is 2-3 in. diameter, gather the large outer leaves loosely over the head and tie with twine or rubber bands. Tie every 2-3 days with different colored bands to help coordinate harvest dates. Hot, humid, rainy weather after tying can result in a rotting curd. In hot weather, the head should be ready to harvest in 3-5 days; in cool weather, blanching takes 8-12 days. Harvest when head is compact, clear white and about 6" in diameter. Avoid bruising during harvest and packing.

Broccoli is harvested when heads are dense and 3-6 in. diameter, and before individual flower buds are distinguishable or yellow flowers can be seen. Cut 8-10" of stem with the head. Broccoli should be cooled as rapidly as possible and stored under cool conditions after harvest to slow down flower development. Side heads develop rapidly following removal of the terminal head, unless the variety used is a nonsprouting type. Harvesting may continue for several weeks. Broccoli is especially sensitive to postharvest heat and should be hydrocooled or packed on ice immediately after harvest.

Brussels sprouts should be harvested when sprouts are firm and are of the desired size for market. Sprouts can be harvested sequentially, working up the stalk as the season progresses, or entire stalks can be cut and marketed whole. 

Kale and Collards may be harvested by cutting off entire plants near ground level, then bunching whole plants. Alternatively, mature leaves may be stripped from plants and either bunched or packed individually. Multiple harvests are possible. 

Kohlrabi. The targeted harvest stage is when stems are full sized but before they begin to split. Bulbs are cut at the soil line, and foliage is trimmed as dictated by markets.

Many brassica crops are very sensitive to ethylene, and may yellow upon exposure to low levels of ethylene. These crops should be stored as close to 32ºF as possible without freezing, at greater than 95% relative humidity. Air circulation should be adequate to remove heat of respiration, but excessive air circulation will speed transpiration and wilting of leafy crops. Expected storage life varies widely. Consult USDA Handbook 66: The commercial storage of fruits, vegetables and florist and nursery stocks, for crop-specific information.