when to start brassicas for fall

vaherbmom

11 years ago

when do I start broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage seeds for the fall harvest? Now?

thanks

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (16)

farmerdill
11 years ago
Yes, and up until mid July in Central Virginia.
coralb
11 years ago
I am in the Carolina Piedmont and I put my broccoli out around Sept. 15. That means I usually start mine around the middle of July.
Related Discussions
When to plant fall crops in my area and when to start seeds
Q
Comments (5)
Start broccoli now. Cabbage as well as brussels sprouts. Keep in mind there are less cold weather crops, and that includes beets and carrots. Greens and lettuce are usually cool weather, but many can grow in summer too. Some seeds can survive winters as can some herbs like thyme. I started thyme from seeds two years ago and they are huge plants now. Dill has now started to flower and I never even planted a single dill seed. The dill all sprouted from seeds that dropped from last summer and those plants came from the year before. I just hope my tiny cuke plants will get bigger soon. We finally had a single day of sunshine here after over 2 weeks of gloom and rain.
...See More
When do you start decorating for fall?
Q
Comments (51)
As soon as I finish mopping my dining room I plan to get out my fall things. It is hot here so I have to just imagine fall for a while. My dining room is a light blue/grey/green so orange doesn't work. I have a large white pumpkin and other neutral things. I really only decorate my table plus a few random things - wood and wrought iron, pansies outside in purple and yellow. I used to have a lot of piano students who didn't believe in Halloween, so that kind of took the fun out for me. I secretly start Christmas decorating before Thanksgiving then turn the lights on that night!!! I will probably go to my son's house for Christmas this year, so I need to enjoy my Christmas stuff early!
...See More
When do you start planting your fall garden?
Q
Comments (2)
Thank you. This is very helpful. I still wonder if anyone has any real life experience to share, especially with Brussels Sprouts. I have never had them produce in the time period listed on the chart for broccoli. They usually take a month or more than broccoli.
...See More
When do you start bringing out your fall decorations?
Q
Comments (35)
Mine came out today....yes, the temps outside are still in the upper nineties, but I love my fall décor. The mantle is done and looks great if I do say so myself. There's a wreath on the door, but not much else outside. Boo décor goes up around Oct. 1. I have a pretty centerpiece on the formal dining table and a couple of candleholders there as well. Need to get some fresh candles. I'm giving thought to moving my annual Christmas party to an early November gig. By decorating now, I can really evaluate what else I might want...if anything.
...See More
regaldozer
11 years ago
do you put them out right in the garden or are you talking about starting them indoors and planting them out in sept?
farmerdill
11 years ago
Start them in a plant bed for transplant. I am from Fluvanna originally so my transplant target was Labor day at the latest. I use a cold frame with out cover as a cold frame for summer starts.
newyorkrita
11 years ago
I hope to start brocoli for a fall crop myself so am very interested in the answers.
wayne_5 zone 6a Central Indiana
11 years ago
I start the first batch of broccoli and all the cauliflower on June 16th. I start them in plastic pots on the picnic table in full sun.....in very hot weather they like to be put in the shade in the afternoon. I start the late batch of broccoli on about July 4th. I set mine in the ground after about 26 days or so if they are ready.

It is very important to water very well after the plants are set out. The cauliflower gets some noon day shade.
vaherbmom
Original Author
11 years ago
Oh, thank you!

I was planning to start indoors--but based on your suggestions I will try it outdoors this year.

Farmerdill, why would I use a cold frame (without cover)? Would it protect them from heat somehow?

Appreciate the advice.
farmerdill
11 years ago
I am an antique grew up without electricity let alone air conditioning. I use the cold frame because they have an ideal soil mix for starting seed. I do place them in humid location in partial shade Like next to spring or small stream. They germinate fine as long as they don't get direct sun to heat the soil to high temperatures. The way we use to do it Virginia and it works here in Georgia altho I start almost a month later than I did in Virginia and have to pay more attention to shade.
je_suis_jo
11 years ago
I've been wondering about this myself, and I was thinking that I could just start them outside....but eek! I have to start them sooner than I was thinking!
glib
11 years ago
Agree on all counts. Not only the OP veggies, but also kale and lettuce (spinach too) will not germinate under the sun in summer. Indoors is always easiest, specially if you have a basement (mine never exceeds 72F). Turnips and arugula will germinate in summer when direct seeded, though.
royceag
11 years ago
I have a date of mid August to sow my broccoli & cauliflower outside here in Charlotte, NC. If I put them in light shade, is this feasible with our broiling summer heat? I was going to direct sow them but, are you recommending that I start them in soil-less mixture in pots instead? And snap peas, I have a date of early September to direct sow them, or should I wait until mid January-ish? Sorry for all the questions, I'm new to this area and to veggies. Many thanks!
farmerdill
11 years ago
In Charlotte that may be a bit late. Here in Augusta, I try to have them started by the first of August for transplant around the middle of September. Start to heading up around Thanksgiving altho sometimes that extends into January. I like to use a soil mixture for starting and keep them in partial (dappled) shade until time to transplant.
I have had no luck with Pisum type peas in fall plantings. I plant English peas Willet Wonder or Alaska around Thanksgiving for spring harvest. Make a second planting of wrinkle seeded types in February.
coralb
11 years ago
Royceag,

I am also in Charlotte. I usually start plants to transplant in the middle of July and plant in the garden mid-Sept. Between bugs and heat I have a devil of a time getting transplants going outside. I usually start mine inside for a few weeks and then move them out to the shade.

I have only tried peas twice. I tried them once in the fall with some luck. I also tried them this spring but things heated up so quickly and I was itching to get tomatoes in so I pulled them early.
royceag
11 years ago
Thanks Farmerdill! Could I even start the brassicas in mid July or is that too early? So, I'll start them in 3" pots in regular, good garden soil for about 6 weeks. I think I'll skip the fall planting of peas and try them in late January- early February- direct sown. You are simply a fountain of knowledge- so wonderful!!!
royceag
11 years ago
Hi Coralb,

Thanks for the insight! I'll give the brassicas a try as you said to. The bugs around here are NUTS! But, fungal disease is edging up there as the main nuisance- EEK! So different from So. Cal!!!
newyorkrita
11 years ago
I have some purple sprouting brocoli and the package said 120 days to maturuty. I just started those seeds today. I also have brocoli raab but those say 60-80 days so not started yet. I hope I have timed this right!