gardening question

Kippster · Jun 13, 2009

Has anyone on here ever grown much cabbage, brussel sprouts or broccoli? I know that all three plants are in the same family, but was wondering if y'all had any tips or tricks you were willing to share. Thanks! Kippster

James Babcock · Jun 13, 2009

I"ve grown all three and can tell you what I"ve learned. They all need cool weather to thrive and the best soil you"ve got. Around here (Ark Ozarks) they need to be grown in very early spring because the cabbage worms really love "em. I grew some pretty good cabbage this year, but my season is basically over because the worms are out in full force. I used some BT powder (bacillus thurigenesis) and that slowed the worms down a little bit. Of course, you could always use some stronger insecticide, but I choose to avoid them if possible. Some areas, particularly along the Gulf Coast, have a good mild autumn, and you can grow some in the fall when the weather cools down. All 3 will take a light frost in stride. HTH

TGIN · Jun 13, 2009

We have better luck in the fall . Dont have near the worm problem . Enough water the first few weeks is the problem in the fall but I d rather water than deal with worms .

teddy52food · Jun 13, 2009

I like to use those cabbage butterflys for shotgun practice! I reload a lite load of #9 shot. I wish I could find a couple pounds of # 12. They are hard to hit on the fly, the way they flutter around! Sometimes I can get 2 in one shot when they circle each other in flight.

patiolant · Jun 13, 2009

If you are in an area where canola is grown (same plant family as cabbage, etc.), you also have to watch for flea beetles. If you have an infestation, then can kill a cabbage plant quickly.

If you have a cabbage butterfly worm problem, broccoli is the easiest to deal with since it matures more quickly. In our area, you can't get around the worm problem for cabbage, and have to find ways to control them. We find the best is to build a small, screened, portable enclosure to grow them in.

My father once offered by daughters (when they were young) 5 cents for each cabbage butterfly they could kill. He thought they would get bored quickly, but he almost went broke with all the butterflies they killed.

carman870ky · Jun 13, 2009

Have pretty much the same story as James, here in N. Ky.(zone 6). Most of the plants get about 4 hrs of full sun a day. Dont worry if they all wilt down some in the hottest sun as they really don't like it. As to the butterflies, a 22 with bird shot shells works well too. If you hit them just right they fly apart like little white clay pigeons.

Rusty wheel · Jun 13, 2009

Central Ohio. Plant cabbage in early may when the ground can be worked. Put wire cages around the plants to keep the rabbits out and dust the plants with lime to keep the bugs off. Water often. rw

tjdub · Jun 15, 2009

I grow all of them, but never have too much luck with the brussel sprouts or the cabbage.

In order to get 10 good heads of cabbage I usually have to grow 30 plants. The rest go to the hogs because of insect damage.

For brussel sprouts, I have to break off all the lower leaves of the plant as soon as the sprouts start to form. Otherwise the sprouts never seem to mature.

Broccoli has always grown great for me. I get a lot of those green caterpillars in the heads, but soaking them in saltwater before cutting the heads up seems to kill nearly all of them. Once their dead they're pretty easy to knock off into the water. Any that I miss are just added protein I figure.

gardening question

Kippster

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James Babcock

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TGIN

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teddy52food

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patiolant

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carman870ky

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Rusty wheel

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tjdub

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