Let's Start a Fall Garden Together!
Its time to think about food that can be grown in cooler temperatures. Thank goodness! It has been hot! I will welcome the cooler temps along with the beautiful cool garden that comes with it. Brassicas are the cool weather plants that we should be planting right now. I have grown to appreciate the diverse tastes of crucifers such as broccoli, kale, cabbage, collards and cauliflower.
There are several options as far as "days to harvest" when choosing your seeds, so read those labels carefully and check your last frost date for your zone so that you will know the harvest date that you should be shooting for.
Growing brassicas successfully can be challenging and although I have given it a good try for several years now in the Spring time, it seems that I just run out of time and the plants bolt before the fruit is ready to harvest. My favorite option is growing them in the Fall when the temps keep getting cooler rather than warmer. Most of these plants can even deal with some frost!
I prefer to grow brassicas that are not only tasty and healthy, but also ones that are beautiful and enhance the beauty of the garden. Check your favorite seed sources to see what colorful varieties are available.
Because the temps are still warmer and the pests are still on the hunt for tender leaves to munch, it is best to start your brassicas indoors or in pots. I have grow- lights in my basement, so I will start mine under lights. It is best not to direct sow brassica seeds as bugs will surely eat the seeds up before they get a chance to germinate.
If you have never tried growing these beautiful plants before, step out and pick up a couple packs of seeds! You will not be disappointed! In my area, zone 6a, it is time to get my seeds germinating now! Grab some seeds and put them in some dirt and I'll catch up with you later to see how its going!
Let's Grow Food Together!
Julie Atkins
Milkweed Farms