Thursday, April 4, 2013

COLE CROPS -Cabbage, Lettuce, Broccoli etc.



Cole Crops are cool season vegetables (early spring or late fall) that withstand frost and chilly nights. 

Dan Schantz Greenhouse will only grow the best performing, best tasting and most disease resistant vegetable plants for this region.

We offer cole crops in 4 pack containers (lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower) and pint pots (purple cauliflower, cheddar cauliflower, celery, spinach)

They should be planted in March –April when the days and evenings are colder but not freezing.  Lettuce and spinach can be grown in containers. 

Plant your vegetables in loose, well draining potting mix and feed regularly.  Give each plant ample room to grow and enough space to keep air flowing between plants.  This will help discourage slugs and rotting stems.

Other garden pests to be aware of: cabbage worms (you will first see those cute little white moths flittering around- then you know you have cabbage worms) and Aphids.  Use pesticides such as sevin dust or an insecticidal soap, OR attract lady bugs *, parasitic wasps or other natural means of pest removal.    

Tips:   To protect cauliflower from sun scorch, gather the large outer leaves above the head and tie.  Harvest broccoli when the flower heads are tight and green.  Cut the large clusters off, leaving the plant in the ground.  It will produce one or more smaller flower heads in about 2 weeks.   Don’t let any cole crop “bolt” (make flowers).  When it’s time to harvest your vegetables, they need to be checked every day.  Waiting too long to pick them could damage them.   If your plants are small and not growing, feed them.  Feed, feed, feed.  Osmocote, Miracle grow, Vegetable food- water soluble or granular..just feed them according to directions.

 

 

attract lady bugs –

·  1

Make a plant spray to attract Lady Bugs. in a large spray bottle, dissolve 1 cup of sugar into about 4 cups of water, add 1/4 of a cup of honey. Shake the mixture vigorously to mix all ingredients thoroughly. Spray on plants. Lady Bugs are attracted to the sweet mixture.

·  2

Plant flowers to attract Lady Bugs. Incorporate flowers such as Geraniums, Lilies, Tulips and Cosmos in your garden. Also flowers with small white flowers will attract Ladybugs.  Planting Dill, Fennel and Feverfew will attract lady bugs as well.


Photo Top: Steve and his Cabbage from our garden last year. 

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