Small, wimpy brassicas

15 years ago

Hello,

All of my brassicas (red cabbage, cauli, broc, brussels) are miniaturized this year. I have mini broccoli heads and mini cauliflower heads. Even my red cabbage is only about 3-4" across. The rest never fruited. Does anyone have any idea of what I've missed this season? Sun, water, compost, fertilizer? This is our first year in this house and the garden was, well, in a sad state when we moved in. I didn't amend because I like to grow hard, and I guess this is a result? On the flip side, my tomatoes haven't stopped producing...please help! I use no spray either, hand picking the worms off (I have a 4 year old helper!) Thanks!

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Comments (6)

farmerdilla
15 years ago
The brassicas you mentioned are all heavy feeders, so that may be your problem.
knittlin
15 years ago
Yep, could be not enough fertilizer. It also could be that they got hit with a freeze when they were still very young ~ that'll make them "button" (make small heads). And it also could have been that they got a little rootbound before they were transplanted. They can't stay longer than eight weeks or so in those little six packs or it'll stunt them.
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mishy
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks! So next year is putting compost around them enough or should I use another fertilizer too?
I don't know about the freeze. It depends where they come from and I don't know. I bought them in September so could they have possibly suffered a freeze that early?
I do believe they were in the packs for awhile but I also planted early so I think it's the fertilizer issue not being rootbound.
stephen_albert
15 years ago
You don't need to wait until next year to side dress your current crops with aged compost. That will help as this season continues -- though you may not notice it with the current crops -- and you will be building the soil much in advance of next year. Also compost or manure tea for this season's crops my help.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://HarvestToTable.com
grandad_2003
15 years ago
It may also be a timing issue. In my area we set these plants in the garden during the month of September. I've pushed this into October and possibly early November when trying to make use of extra plants. Plants that I set late grow slower and are much smaller at harvest, just like you described above. Although smaller, they are just as tasty.
knittlin
15 years ago
Grandad has a good point, too. When I set mine out too late that happens to me, too. Maybe you can calculate the correct time to try direct seeding them next year so you know exactly how they've been treated, and that they're on time? I tried that last year with great success for all my cole crops; broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts and cabbage. Atleast 1/3 of the seeds made it to a foot tall and were looking great. So sow thickly to get a good stand.

I'd let you know how the harvest was, but I didn't get any. My bull got in the garden and mowed them down. Yes, I threatened to put him in the freezer. I distinctly remember running out there in my underwear (it was early ~ hadn't even had coffee yet) and screaming, "You &^$-$%-@-$%@!!! I'm gonna' put you in a skillet and you'd better taste like cabbage!!!"

Small, wimpy brassicas

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Small, wimpy brassicas

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