Cruciferous vegetablesare a very valuable group of vegetables. In our diet, they are a source of many valuable nutrients, while remaining low in calories. The cruciferous vegetables include, among others. cauliflowers, broccoli, turnips, swede and various types of cabbage. In nature, they are biennial plants, but for leaves and roots, we grow them as annuals. See what thecultivation of cruciferous vegetables looks likeand what varieties of broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage should be chosen for the plot.
Cruciferous vegetables - cabbage cultivation on the plot
Growing cruciferous vegetables
In allotments and home gardensthe most commonly grown cruciferous vegetablesare head cabbage and cauliflower. The home vegetable garden should also include broccoli, famous for its anti-cancer properties.
For the cultivation of cruciferous vegetableschoose a sunny place with fertile, easily warming soil. Typically, cruciferous vegetables need a lot of nitrogen, but they should not be planted in a soil freshly fertilized with manure as this causes overgrowth, making the plants softer and more susceptible to disease.
In most cases,cruciferous vegetables are sownin sprouts or shelters in early spring and then transferred to the beds. In amateur cultivation, gardeners often sprout plants in their houses on window sills.
Cruciferous vegetables can be plantedin compact soil, not dug up after previous crops.Due to the risk of transmission of diseases and pests of cabbage, they must not be planted directly after previously cultivated brassica and turnip greens (the interval between the cultivation of cruciferous vegetables on the same plot should be at least 4 years). After planting, mulch the plants. They require regular watering, especially in dry weather. During growth, we can supply nitrogen fertilizers.
Below we presentthe most popular cruciferous vegetables , suitable for amateur cultivation on plots.
Cruciferous vegetables - Broccoli
Broccoli is acruciferous vegetable rich in vitamins(vitamin C, A, B vitamins, PP), and mineral s alts (calcium, phosphorus and iron). Thanks to the content of sulforaphane, it has anti-cancer properties. The cultivation of broccoli is best done on medium-heavy soils, previously richly seasoned with compost. He likes humidity and a lot of sun.
Thiswe only grow cruciferous vegetables from the varnishproduced in a sprouting plant.We can plant seedlings from the beginning of April.
Cruciferous vegetables - broccoli
Thebroccoli variety Sebastianis perfect for spring cultivation. This variety sets the roses 30 to 40 days after planting the seedlings. The roses are convex, dark green in color, with a smooth and firm surface. The recommended spacing is 30 x 30 cm. "
"At the end of June, we can prepare a seedlingCezar broccoliWe plant it in the field at the end of July. The recommended spacing is 50 x 50 cm. The harvest will be possible from September to October. This variety produces large, strict green roses with a purple tinge. Flower shoots do not develop rapidly. "
Cruciferous vegetables - Cauliflower
Cauliflowers are quite closely related to broccoli. They require fertile and humus soils, rich in nutrients. The seeds are sown under cover in early spring.They can be fed with nitrogen fertilizer or liquid organic fertilizer. Cauliflowers during the growth period require a constant water supply.
Cruciferous vegetables - cauliflower
Among theearly cauliflower varietiesit is worth paying attention to the Pionier variety, which is characterized by resistance to drought and low temperatures. Forms white, convex, concise roses, well covered with leaves. We sow under cover from February to March. We move to our permanent place in April. The recommended spacing is 50 x 50 cm. The harvest will be possible from June to July. "
"A little later (until April), we can sowRobercauliflower variety, very fertile and of good quality. We move the field from April to August. The recommended spacing is 50 x 50 cm. Depending on the time of planting, the harvest will be possible even until the end of October. "
Cruciferous vegetables - colorful cauliflower varieties
For those who are boredgrowing ordinary cauliflowerwe recommend less known color varieties, bred by foreign breeders. In addition to their interesting appearance, these plants also have an attractive taste and are rich in nutrients. An example of such an original variety isRomanesco green cauliflowerThis is a mid-early variety for outdoor cultivation, especially useful for autumn harvesting. It creates conical yellow-green roses with turret-shaped roses. The seeds are sown in spring under covers (in April or May). Plant the seedlings into the ground in June, or at the beginning of July, spaced 40x50 cm apart. Requires fertile and moist soil. "
Cruciferous vegetables - Cabbage
"In amateur crops, the most common is white or red cabbage. Both types require a soil that is not too heavy and well fertilized, and a plentiful water supply. As a rule,cabbage is sown in a greenhouse or inspection in early March We transfer the seedlings to the beds after about 6 weeks. It grows best on fields that in the previous year were planted with beans or peas.
One of the earliest varieties of white cabbage isDitmarska cabbage The earliest GOFWe can sow it under covers as early as February, and put them out in the fields in the first half of April. The recommended spacing is 50 x 40 cm. Only 65 to 75 days elapse from planting to harvest. Creates heads of medium size, compact, on a low head. It is considered to be very tasty.
Unfortunatelyearly cabbage varietiescannot be stored for too long (up to 6 weeks). We can store late varieties longer and these are also better suited for pickling. "
Cruciferous vegetables - head cabbage
Among the later varieties that we sow in April, and move to the fields from May to June, it is worth paying attention toAmager POLThe vegetation period of this variety is up to 145 days.Harvesting is possible from October to November. Forms large, dense, spherical heads, perfect for fermentation and winter storage.
Anotherlate variety of cabbageis the Stone Head ZIF, with a growing period of 150 to 160 days. It is very fertile, stable in storage and is also perfect for souring. "
Red cabbage varieties can also be successfully grown on the plots. For example,red cabbage Kodais an early variety, grown for the summer harvest. We sow it from March to April, we dive in the beds from May to June at a distance of 50 x 50 cm. Harvesting will be possible after 3 months (August to October). It creates medium-sized, dark red spherical heads, set on a low head. It is intended for direct consumption.
These are, of course, only some of the most popularcruciferous vegetables grown on allotmentsIf we get bored with their taste, it is worth reaching for other cruciferous vegetables, e.g.Brussels sprouts, kale or kohlrabi. "
