7 Tips to Grow Great Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli, and More!

[@creative_grassrootsgarden]

My husband and I have converted our small backyard into a huge garden. We've been encouraged to become more self sufficient, and have recently started our own KZbin channel to help encourage others as well. Thanks for all you do, always enjoy watching 🌱

[@GatlingNG]

Brassica are probably the most important vegetables to learn to grow nutrition-wise if you're after self-sustainability.

[@Lochness19]

I think the brassica rapa varieties are much easier to grow though, and also really nutritious. Beet greens, parsley root, watercress, sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, blueberries, currants, purslane, amaranth, salsify are all easier to grow in my climate as well, and very nutritious.

[@CH-hm8ud]

You got that one right! There are so many vitamins and enzymes in those vegetables 🥦, I really wish people would have a garden and enjoy the pleasure of such wonderful taste! I even hugged trees, give them the thank you 🙏 for giving us everything we need. I love Mother Nature so intensely! Enjoy everyone what God gave us for free!

[@DebRoo11]

They take a LOT of room though.

[@tarawaukeri8928]

I'd say nutrition wise it'd be spinach, kale and watercress.

[@cayleehammack]

Random thing that helped me this year; I bought a military mosquito net to hang around my leafy greens & brassicas. Not a caterpillar or slug or snail on them. I sprinkle some Diatomaceous earth occasionally but not often. Try it, it has saved me so much time not picking stuff off my Brussels!

[@JoannahGillespie]

Hey, great advice! A farmer friend of mine told me not to water over plants in the middle of the day when it's very hot out, because, rather than "cooling off" the plants, the water droplets can act like little magnifying glasses and burn tiny holes into the leaves. This information would only be pertinent in places that regularly reach high temperatures in which most brassicas won't grow anyway, but I found this tip fascinating and very helpful, nonetheless.

[@elizabethraworth64]

😰 my garden is frozen solid. It won't thaw out for months. Watching your garden videos are cheering me up. Funny side note- my 5 year old granddaughter planted the mustard seeds from the spice rack in my houseplants. Now she is eating them.Baby brassica are so cute and tasty.

[@jeffs1062]

Last year I covered my brassicas with agrifabric hoop houses. Worry free. No bugs of any kind and the most beautiful leaves ever. and I've always had moth and aphid issues. This year all the brassicas will get the agrifabric and plants that need pollinating will be covered by chicken wire.

[@Wolf-E-Romeo]

Just learned about covering the cauliflower with its leaves. I read something about it that had confused me. But with you showing and explaining it made it clear. Thanks so much!!!

[@antoinepelletier6141]

Nice video! Brassica are one of the easiest for me to grow in my climate, had so much bruxell sprout last year it was amazing! Some tips for bruxell sprout that helped me: -Pruning the leaves along the tree will help it grow taller -Cutting the top of the plant when it is tall enough will make your bruxell sprout grow bigger

[@epicgardening]

Great tips!

[@DevonDowner]

I am so excited to see San Juan Cabbagestrano Jr’s growth this year!! You’re really showing us that gardening is about taking your “failures” (I say that very lightly) or unsuccessful crops and learning from them to have more success next time. I really need to try growing some kale this year! Thank you for always sharing your knowledge with us. 🖤🌱

[@epicgardening]

That's what it's all about

[@cominginthecloudsforus]

I've learned the same thing over the last 5 years, growing in zone 7 in VA. I start seeds in June-July and transplant end of August. Also has many less pests in the fall compared to spring plantings. We learned in fall of 2021 that we LOVE brussels sprouts. Will be doing many more of those next year. Cauliflower and Kale are our next two favorites.

[@Indigolily80]

I'm going to try that. I live in Hampton Roads area.

[@sweethometreasures]

Thank you for sharing this! We are in Southern Maryland, going to try this too.

[@megwillnot4815]

​@@sweethometreasures x⁷778

[@reshabriella]

Thank you for this. I live in the Caribbean and my first set of cauliflower did okay in the rainy season. We are now in the dry season and the sun is really out and bad and my new set of cauliflower just aren't here for it. Now I know what NOT to do. Good luck to San Juan Cabbagestrano Junior! We're all rooting for him!

[@Lexieswiff]

I live in the Caribbean as well. There are heatset varieties for our area. I grow Snowwhite cauliflower and they do very well in the heat.

[@reshabriella]

@@Lexieswiff I've never seen that variety. Will definitely look out for it. Thanks.

[@louisejclovis4260]

@@Lexieswiff thanks

[@louisejclovis4260]

I finally had success with cabbage here in the Caribbean...my 4th attempt. The dry season is a major challenge.

[@kpr0ck]

In jamaica and I tried twice and the seeds did not germinate

[@Pepsithegoat]

Just needed this video. I'm in a cold zone with a really short grow season, so these cold weather crops are some of the only I can grow well!

[@darinthibodeau2983]

I live in Oceanside just a short way up from you and I can’t tell you how much you have helped me and my wife will our garden. Thank you very much for what you do. Please continue on.

[@nicolepapole]

Yes!! This year my goal is to cover the entire bed of brassicas because the cabbage moths are the worst. I'm also going to plant them much earlier!

[@klcpca]

I am soooo excited!! My 2 Birdie beds should be delivered on Monday... I can wait until Spring to plant them up.... 1 veggies.... 1 flowers!!!

[@epicgardening]

Can't wait to get them to you!

[@ashleighking0222]

I never knew gardening would be so much fun to learn until your videos. Thank you for teaching me how to grow, cultivate, plan (I'm not a planner), and become a very healthy water. You are so amazing.

[@epicgardening]

Means the world to hear this

[@alexandrameub5602]

Beginner gardener in a hot zone and have been scared to try brassicas until this video and your Brussel sprouts for beginners video. Gonna try it this fall/winter. Thank you for giving me the courage to mess up and learn from my mistakes for future success.

[@Gardeningchristine]

I’m definitely netting all my brassicas this year. Everything ate them last year. Slugs, snails, harlequin bugs, cabbage moths, and aphids. Barely got any harvest at all. Trying to stay away from chemicals, so hopefully netting will do the trick.

[@epicgardening]

Fingers crossed for ya~!

[@robomonkey1018]

Look into coplanting lots of stuff can deter pests or attract predators that will help control the problem species

[@annettemoreland1628]

Crumbled egg shell around the base will help deter the slugs & snails.

[@DebRoo11]

Diatomaceous earth powder 👌🏻

[@MeganSherow]

Hey Kevin, in regards to variety selection, there’s a killer cauliflower hybrid called Song TJS65 (Johnny’s has it!) - I grow it all year round in Hawaii (zone 12a), avg daytime temp of 75-80. It doesn’t get bitter if you forget to blanch it, the harvest window is much larger because it still tastes the same as the curds loosen a bit, AND it matures super early. Epic variety for sure!

[@epicgardening]

Adding to my list!

[@1MzSyd1]

I hoping for a chance to grow in HI. Ive been looking for people growing in HI. I currently grow in SC and love it, but i want warmer tropical weather. So i dont have to bring my papaya inside in winter lol

[@valamaas]

Im in tropical Australia. Ill be looking for something like this.

[@madmanjim795]

@@epicgardening if you look above at my comment, there is a scammer using your Epic Gardening name and logo trying to inform me I am a winner and to WA the person. The channel has no content.

[@OurNurturedHome]

@@madmanjim795 i got that as well, how rude!

[@GardenKatt]

For me in a cold zone. Kentucky, starting my brassica plants now indoors. As soon as once they sprout start bringing outside daily to acclimatize them for 20 minutes or so. Once temps here are constant 50s put in ground. Cover with tulle/netting immediately because of white flies. Replant indoors in late late summer to have ready to plant outside in cooler fall temps. Good luck

[@CH-hm8ud]

I am in Fl, I transplant my brassicas in November, by January I start to picking cabbage,broccoli, collard green, by January my tomatoes plants are bringing out tomatoes; we have eating 3 times new potatoes, almost all the carrots 🥕 are done, I don’t have cauliflower yet, I had pick beets! By April I am canning sauce for the year, drying spices. I have been picking gandules and freezing them and the brassicas. You have quite of beautiful garden there.

[@gartengeflugel924]

Really interesting video, have one thing to add to growing Brassicas in colder climates. In colder parts of Europe the leafy varieties of Brassicas (like kale) are left in the bed through winter and harvested as needed until spring arrives. Even relatively severe frost doesn't really damage the plants. As it gets warmer they will then begin to flower so they're best harvested before that. Cheers

[@rcrhinehart66]

I have a indoor winter growing area in my home in New England but the temperatures are still too chilly to grow warm crops like basil or cilantro. My new favorite to grow and eat is leaf broccoli-Spigariello Liscia. Never heard of it until I bought some seeds mainly to round up my order for free shipping. Extremely easy to grow, pest resistant, and tastes like spinach/kale.

[@sassisch]

Hi, Kevin! Congratulations on a great series! In this episode you concentrated on Western brassicas and mentioned your challenges with them in San Diego. You would have far fewer challenges and much larger harvests if you grew East Asian brassicas, which have been bred for warmer climates. My wife grew (organically) tons of various types of Chinese brassicas while living in San Diego, with four or five harvests per year. Cold climate brassicas are unsuited for your climate zone. In my native Northern Europe we traditionally don’t even as much as look at kale and Brussels sprouts before the first frost. Here in California, I have been known to put them into the freezer for at least one hour before cooking, and they taste sweeter then.

[@darja25]

I though I was the only one who had issues with Brassicas, I am somewhat reliefed now!;) They are quite tricky, especially in hot climates.....thanks for all the tips, you live and learn....cheers

[@ellenconforti5693]

I too learned that cabbage doesn't grow well here in Florida in the Springtime. It eventually gets too hot so I now plan for a late winter early spring harvest. But we also have a big problem with the cabbage moth so I buy the Agribon grow cover and keep them covered the whole season. I might open it when it is warm and sunny a few times but they're mostly under cover and grow beautiful. Ellen Florida Gardener Zone 9a

[@ericcaloosa371]

Wow I'm 9b and have all the brassica growing super easily.

[@rosalynjohnson7414]

Eric. really what brand of cabbage and what soil do you used?.I can't grow nice head of cabbage,this is my second time around and still the same results.I live in 9b zone also.help

[@yvoennsche]

I am in California too and I have had good cabbage harvests if everything goes right and many fails. Main problem is that it is still hot late in the fall here further inland, so you can't start in September. If I start in late October, the November to January persephone period with low light seems to halt most growth. Then it depends on when the warm weather arrives. If it gets too warm in February, many times my cabbages don't do great. Two years ago we had a very cool spring, I had great cabbages then.

[@Grandma.Lilly.]

Huge green grasshoppers took out the majority of my brassicas last fall. Lucky I succession planted and put them in the greenstalk instead of my birdie bed. And those are doing well.

[@theweatherisaokay4964]

I live in hot climate and never success in planting this. Tried many times and different varieties many years ago until I stop planting that altogether. Love your video.

[@madmanjim795]

I live in tropical Indonesia and Kale is a trooper - it thrives in the tropical heat!

[@HeathSawyerisHeheboy]

Great video.! My Grandmother (New Zealand) taught me to cover the cauliflower head just by snapping a large leaf, without breaking it completely and folding that over the cauli head. A less labour intensive method.

[@lisareis8117]

There is a white cauliflower variety called Twister that might interest you. It’s leaves grow around the head to protect it so you don’t have to wrap it. Grows vertical so it’s perfect for raised beds. I’m in zone 9a and it grows great here.

[@taramceown2919]

Great tips! I had great success with cabbage a couple years ago and a good harvest of cauliflower last year. Now I know what I did to have success and what I need to do to prevent the cauliflower from turning green ans being sweeter.. small tips about the bugs are super helpful! Thank you

[@moonafarms1621]

Cutter worms took out my kale and brassicas entirely last season... now it's game on!! I am determined to cultivate all of the cabbage and brussels that my heart desires --- HUGE THANK YOU for your tips today!!!!!!

[@charliehardwick7625]

Continuing to still live vicariously through you and your sunshine, both real and personality-wise. The North of England is super chilly at the moment. Had a gorgeous drive to work in -3 degrees with winter sunshine glinting off all the frost, stunning. Was late as I had to pull over and just look at it! Keep up the great work as ever, the epic pond is simply incredible and these brassicas look the absolute business! ❤️

[@epicgardening]

Glad to provide a little garden inspo!

[@pay1370]

Had non stop rain last summer, so all my greens went to the snails. Let's hope it'll go better this year 😅.

[@turnipfarmer_retired]

Thanks, Kevin. Very helpful. My brassicas were a disaster last year. Hope springs eternal 2022!

[@quantafitness6088]

Many brassicas taste the best after freezing temperatures. Kale, brussel sprouts and OMG savoy cabbage. Soo sweet I thought my husband had seasoned them with honey. The advice is therefore to check and see what brassicas benefit from freezing. Kale easily takes minus 18 degrees celcius.

[@katec9893]

I've also found brassicas difficult to grow, I'm glad it's not just me. They have a lot of pests here from cabbage white butterflies to flea beetles, pigeons, slugs and snails. They can also get club root and they require a lot of nutrients. I love kale but have only been able to grow a small amount so far due to the above. When I tried growing salad greens in the brassica family they got annihalated by flea beetles and I had to throw them away. I'm trying again this year hoping for better success, what you said about timing is interesting.

[@bethsands7665]

Yay for late Fall planting ! This will be my first time growing root crops which never did good in Spring/Summer. Thanks for you tried and true expertise.

[@robomonkey1018]

In my climate we get two seasons with these guys. Spring and winter. It's dope.

[@thatsalt1560]

I'm in continental Croatia. (Cold winters, hot summers). We plant cauliflower in August and harvest in November to January, when it's actually minus. Watering morning and evening. Green cabbage does works during the hot summers too, so we grow those in the spring and in the autumn. Harvested the last cabbage a week ago :) I think we will try Brussels sprouts this year too. Cauliflower nowadays usually has leaves that rotate while growing and they cover the heads very well, but if they don't, just break off one of the bigger leaves and cover the cauliflower with it. You don't have to tie it.

[@thatsalt1560]

(Don't eat the big leaves from cauliflower. It's not nice. Just give it to the compost.)

[@cynthiadoe3096]

I just harvested my very first broccoli crown! I didn’t set out to garden over the winter, I thought I would be harvesting for Thanksgiving! I’m learning so much from the experience, we have had unexpected freezing temperatures and snow, I covered them with plastic and last weekend I built a low tunnel for any future weather challenges. I did have cabbage moth issues to begin with, next time I will keep them covered from the start. As someone else commented the timing of this video could not be better!! Thanks Kevin!

[@drewrobinson9120]

Being in east TN (USDA zone 7a) I grow two groups of brassicas, one in spring (started indoors in mid January and transplanted in late March and usually harvested by end of May) and another in fall (direct sow seed into garden end of August or early September and harvest well into December even early January). I will dig any plants that I want to use for seed production and place them in cool areas of garage or basement with roots in five gallon buckets of damp sand if temps are going to be below 15 degrees F for a prolonged period. Aside from temperature issues, I have never had issues growing brassicas, aside from keeping insects off of them, but proper timing helps with that also since brassicas grow best at temps below what most pest insects will tolerate. Biggest issue I have is with cabbage loopers, which seem to tolerate far cooler temps than any of the other pest insects, and one or two applications of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray, limits the damage. Have had some luck using wormwood steeped in hot water and spraying resulting decoction around plants as a deterrent.

[@deathwish5512]

Hey Kevin love the haircut looking good! So excited to see broccolis and cauliflowers :)

[@epicgardening]

Thx!

[@catnip1487]

Nice, they look so healthy and delicious! I mulch the soil under my brassicas with garden clippings like grass, and with hay and whatever cover material I can find. It keeps the water in and the soil cool and fertilizes it a bit as well. Being a bit lazy too, so it saves me a bit of work. It will be some net this year!! Last year I sprayed BT but in the end I gave up (had harvested most of it anyway)

[@shawnfrazier9785]

I liked this video before I even watched it. I looked at the title and said this is what I NEED!!!!!

[@hillstomphabitat2704]

I’m zone 7 so I’ve had some pretty good luck with brassicas, but something I’ve learned from watching your videos and the Nature Knows Best videos is that I’ve been spacing my plants too far. So I’m wondering what spacing you use for your brassicas.

[@DebRoo11]

I would of loved info spacing as well. The range you find in Google is so varied. I dont want to crowd out but i dont want to waste space either

[@juliemcgugan1244]

I have cauliflower heads that often outgrow the leaves, so I have to harvest the cauliflower heads before they grow large. Before harvest, as soon as the heads start to appear, I gather the leaves around them and secure them, but by the next day, they have sprung back open. Repeat day after day and the heads are starting to grow wild, look weird and turn funky colours, as they have been exposed to light. Of course, they don’t taste any different, but I’d love to be able to present a normal cauliflower at the dinner table!

[@Katydidit]

Your garden looks fabulous. Here in Texas I have a striped cabbage worm as well as the loopers. I am having brassica envy!!

[@DMLondon]

I struggle with cabbage moths too. This year I am trying to experiment with red cabbage and redbore kale varieties. We have also planned to install some bat boxes. My theory is that predators will be able to easily see bright green cabbage moths on purple and red plants and will be picked off by birds and other predators. If that fails, we’ll cover with mesh netting. Wish me luck!

[@Rinsuki]

Try bt thurnicide which is a natural way to kill the larvae of the cabbage moth. You dilute in water and spray as needed. Of course they'll have yo munch your brassica bit then they die.

[@suebar5177]

Lol...I was just reading about when to start brassicas in my area....determined to get it right this year! Your cauliflower looks great🌞

[@ericcaloosa371]

Brassica have been one of the easiest plants for me to grow in Florida winters. I literally have 50 varieties growing right now just POPPIN off. All in ground, all organic, and I don't water.

[@heycrisper]

Hey Kevin, I've used calendula lately as a sacrificial plant in my garden kind of near my brassicas for aphid issues. It worked nicely in the spring here in Toronto. The ladybugs came shortly after, so I didn't have to sacrifice too many of the flowers. They're great though because they grow back to easily with the heat of summer. I struggle a lot with kales and broccoli in my garden too, so I hope this year I can enjoy some from the garden.

[@grashi]

Great tip!!

[@brendanlaird5831]

I know this comment is a year old but I may steal this idea for some fruit trees that get attacked by aphids every year

[@angelinamoreiracosta3048]

Loved this video! I have 50% rate for both success and failure. I’ve noticed that collard greens can be more heat tolerant than other types of brassicas. I had to pulled it out at the beginning of summer because in Sydney it gets too much (and the aphids were loving it!! 🤬). I’ve also notices that the moths only come to my brassicas when starts to warm up, not during winter, which is a blessing. What I have though it’s a BIRD PROBLEM is young seedlings I put outside. The tip on water: 100% true, my water bill goes to the roof with these guys!

[@selinamularz9194]

Glad I decided to look up your video on how to grow these before sewing the seeds lol. I'm in southern Arizona (8b) and almost planted them in April (it will be in the 100s here in a month or so). guess well be waiting for fall:)

[@andreeelliott2943]

Okay. I just watched to the end of the video and heard you address cabbage moth problems. Next year I will cover my plants. Thanks for the tips!! 👍🏼

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Nice Video, I am starting lots of Broccoli and other Brassica plants now...they do well here pretty much all year, with a bit of help. 😊

[@epicgardening]

That's great!

[@potatoes1640]

@@epicgardening hei hei hei, some random user is sending out suspicious replies saying I won in a giveaway.

[@jimmiller6704]

@@potatoes1640 I got the same suspicious reply.

[@jimmiller6704]

@@epicgardening I got a suspicious reply saying I won a giveaway. What's going on with that? The green circle is different than yours.

[@BrightestBlessings7899]

I'm also in a colder zone but looper butterflies lay their eggs on my brassica leaves and then the little green caterpillars devour my plants. I have sprayed, hand picked and harvested great brussel sprouts, and no cabbage.

[@rhondamoffit6490]

THANK YOU!!!!!! Brassicas are definitely a challenge for me!!!

[@mslwinters]

We have trouble with a root maggot in Saskatchewan Canada. Between that and the cabbage moth I lost most of my brassica. 😪. I will try the cover and getting them planted earlier next year. Thank you. 😊

[@ginahecht7915]

I’ve had 1 successful crop of Broccoli plants without many florets. The leaves were gorgeous though and huge. So I made broccoli leaf chips out of them. They are like kale chips and delicious. Little olive oil and salt and bake for 5 min on 350 f. I also used flavored oil and skipped the salt. Thanks for the video, I’m going to try an early crop in my cold zone.

[@jeaniemario2093]

Great video, thanks! The cabbage moth is my biggest foe in the garden. I just bought my mesh protector and I am growing all the brassicas this year.

[@jackiehorsley9263]

those are some awesome tips on growing Brassicas I have had my fail's when It especially comes to cabbage I have never been able to get a head of cabbage yet I have not quite figured out what I am doing wrong

[@crwood439]

It has been a very hot fall. My Brussel sprouts stopped growing, crazy amount of aphids on cabbages, I did get some broccoli before the roller coaster temperatures killed them, along with my kale. Thank you for the tips. I’ll try it again next year.

[@crwood439]

Is this comment from you, Kevin? Saying yo contact by phone because I won something?

[@jennifersiegrist8440]

Perfect timing, my brassicas are going to be potted up soon. Thank you ❤️❤️😁😁🌻🌻

[@plantbodybydesign7534]

Thanks for sharing. I might start to grow cabbage, cauliflowers & brocolli this time since only growing tomatoes & potatoes 4 the past years.

[@kikiinthegarden]

I have a fair share of Brassica and Broccoli growing. Because I'm in zone 9b/10a I have to be careful about when to plant because we don't get much cold weather here in South FL. These are some great tips. Thank you for the knowledge!

[@carolinageorgiamix6632]

Wow your plants looks amazing...Keep Smiling

[@denisesime8837]

I am in Wisconsin, I stopped growing these plants a couple years ago but this year I’m trying again. I made a covering with Bridal bridal veil I don’t see a spot to put a picture but I do have them. Thank you so much for your help and ideas. Also there were a few leaves already getting to Chewed on So hoping this works but I got each plant wet and then sprinkle corn meal on the leaves. I’ve heard that might work

[@aquietplace5832]

Brassica plants are so hard for ne to grow. I'm in zone 7B and the struggle is real! I needed this video, thank you.

[@jen.BarnesFamilyHomestead]

Our brussel sprouts take allllllll of our Michigan growing season.... They've done well through our summer but I can't say the same for anything else, lol. Broccoli and bok Choi always seem to bolt on me but with the broccoli, we found we liked the leaves even after it started bolting. And we did end up getting some nice secondary florets

[@epicgardening]

Yeah they're soooooo slow!

[@Jeff_PNW]

Brassicas don't like warm weather at all. Through much trial & error over the years I've learned to grow them only in the late Fall through early Spring. I'm in WA, 8b, just south of Canada where the temps are generally mild. Brassicas definitely thrive in cooler temperatures(40's-50's), and many are cold-hardy well below freezing. Another benefit to growing them during the cold time of year is there are almost no insect pests like cabbage moths, aphids, black flies.

[@pamalajjohnson9576]

Lay long boards on both sides of plants really helps hold moisture, do this right from the beginning, it works.

[@denniscox7384]

Darlene here. Excellent information. We've never had much success with these. Thanks for sharing. :)

[@karenshepley1768]

I am in awe with every one of your videos. You drop so much knowledge. So helpful. Planning spring garden for zone 7a Nevada now. Thank you, sir! 😁

[@deboz8793]

Definitely going to apply these tips for growing brassicas this year here in Central Ohio (zone 6). I had just about given up on these types of veggies. Cabbage moths always decimated them. I’ll be adding brassicas back to the 2022 garden list. Thanks for the tips.

[@tarar6926]

I'm in central Ohio too and would be interested in how you're brassica are doing

[@Grubbdub]

@@tarar6926 I’m in centra Ohio too! I transplanted mine end of March and they look like they have barely grown. No pest issues… I am not sure what is going on 🥴

[@sMarti4803]

Goodness! Now it makes sense why I've never got any sort of harvest! (Flowers but no actual edible foods!)I'm in mid west Georgia! Too late to try this winter.. but I now know to just start in FALL.. 🤦🏼‍♀️👍

[@chinatownboy7482]

As a novelty, I replanted the scraps from last year's St. Paddy Day corn beef meal. The celery grew, bolted, dropped seed, and I now have a fresh batch of celery grown from that seed. The cabbage grew into huge plants with stalks, bolted, and also dropped seed. Carrot tops grew, and flowered. But I don't see any new carrots from those seeds. Potato grows and regrows in my yard without effort - like a weed. It's now February 1st, and I see little cabbage seedlings scattered about. I'm hoping that they survive and give me cabbage heads.

[@taunmoondy6869]

DUDE! What about the aphids? I agreee, timing is key to healthy brassicas and that is tricky here in Southern Humboldt. It is cool, cool, cool, and then HOT! I have given up on all but kale. That is leafy enough I can handpick or spray the little buggers off. I do greatly appreciate your vlogs! I cannot find many from California and even though you might as well be in another state, you're so far away, I can use your advice often. Thanks.

[@ironleatherwood1357]

I try to grow cabbage every year, organically and fail because I haven't tried using a cover cloth or cage of some kind. However, this year we got rabbits and I learned that the urine resists pests. So I usually take grass clippings, or leaves or whatever mulch I have and let them poop and pee on it then spread it around my brassicas and wala, cabbage moths don't come near it. It had only been one month on this experiment and something started eating a plant so I had to respply, but the benefit is the natural fertilizer at the same time The leaves are huge and growing nicely

[@nichole5652]

I'm so excited to be starting my own garden this year! Thanks for always inspiring

[@annebeck2208]

One of the things I love about you is that you grow little bits to eat all along, but because you are so warm, I found Steve's Seaside Kitchen Garden & Allotment in the UK (youtube) for varieties that do well in cooler climates...would be fun to have you zoom collab with him on growing winter stuff. I think you guys would complament each other well.

[@etiennelouw9244]

I planted mid summer, have had problems. Will try end autumn

[@kittiew260]

My climate no issues brassica but cauliflower ugh. Cool & consistent Ty for video Kevin. I despise the white 🦋 too. 😉

[@tomjeffries58]

I was successful with cabbage for the first time this year. I'll be harvesting in a couple weeks- zone 9 southeast. Timing is the ticket.

[@larrytischler570]

Two tips: try some Asian brassica varieties like; gailan, minature green bok choy, and daikon. Later in the day when watering run the hose into a bucket until the water is cool before watering the leaves or roots.

[@andyp.4205]

I have no problem growing in my zone 5a but those little cabbage moths create havoc on my crops. I finally found a solution on amazon. row cover made of mesh. Lets sunlight and water in. No issues this year with my kale. I will use again as I don't like to spray.

[@darrenmoore8759]

Not weird at all! Pulling the leaves together to cover broccolis and cauliflowers is how my grandma taught me!

[@vanessaadams9145]

I tried mine in very early spring, when the ground was workable and most of them bolted. Too many spikes of heat at random points. Zone 3B/4A....I think they need to go in the fall this year. We still have hot days so, I just really need to be on top of keeping them cooler when that heat does hit. Thanks for the tips 😊👍

[@DonnaLorenzen2009]

I'm north of you in South OC and those darn aphids (aka evil little beasts). I have to jet spray several of my brassicas every 2-3 days. Your winter garden is looking fab!

[@TheAdhdGardener]

Good vid. I have the same issues u had. Timing was my issue so I'm banking on getting it right this spring

[@matthyland1218]

Thanks for this, definitely planted my broccoli in the wrong spot last year

[@berlyn1187]

I’m my area it goes from frost to HOT to frost. This is my first year trying to grow brassicas, I think I’m going to set them up with a removable shade cover.

[@lindasoaft9303]

I found my Brussel Sprouts attracted more aphids than the other brassicas. My cauliflower has been exceptional, broccoli was a little disappointing. Went to flower quickly! Thanks for he good info.

[@anthonyshea5946]

Broccoli is my bane!!! Never can get it to keep from bolting. Maybe I’ll try again this summer.

[@justintr4888]

I love that the CC picks up "San Juan Cabbagestrano" as "San Juan Cabbage, Toronto"

[@GrowingOrganicTvShow]

Nice winter crop. Try "Cheddar" Cauliflower which looks like cheese but non GMO, and "Premium Crop" Broccoli, which is a very dense Broccoli. I got from Walter Andersons Nursery. A Opossum ate the top off my broccoli but it grew back 3 new heads from the sides like yours. He actually did me a favor by topping the plant early on. Let those grow out into full side broccoli. Triple your harvest! Opossums must be master gardeners with that technique. Hope they don't eat more though.

[@agoule01]

what exactly do you mean by non-GMO? because all brassicas have technically been selectively bred for certain desirable traits. or do you mean non-GMO as in the process of inserting a gene from one plant to another? because there are no such brassicas currently in existence.

[@epicgardening]

I've been wanting to grow a Cheddar!

[@retired_man_about_town]

Here just north of you in Murrieta.... just planted 10 cabbage transplants from Bonnie. fingers crossed.

[@johncaswell2648]

Here on the Colorado front range, the climate is great for brassicas, they never give me any trouble. Cabbage white butterfly larvae on the other hand, can turn them into swiss cheese overnight. Going to try to keep them under bug netting all season this year and see if that helps.