Brussels sprout, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, broccoli, turnips and watercress

Whether you raise these for their produce (broccoli and cauliflower), as an herb (mustard), or for their greens (cabbages, kale, turnips, etc…) these members of the mustard family are popular additions for home gardeners. Despite their frequent mispronunciation, these are ‘Cole’ crops, not ‘Cold’ crops.  However, due to the time of year in which they are generally grown, many regions of the country refer to them as Cold Crops.  Most of these crops can survive freezing temperatures with minimal damage and prefer a mean temperature of about 65 degrees. (daytime highs near eighty and lows around forty degrees is ideal)

Brussels sprouts, cabbages, cauliflower, and broccoli sill do best when planted in August through mid-September in most of the country.  These plants can be direct seeded or transplanted into the garden area. Faster maturing varieties like Kale, collards, mustard and turnips can be planted mid-September into October in many place is the US. Additionally many people in southern regions of the country are also able to plant these crops in early to mid march for a late spring harvest. Whether you are growing a fall crop, a spring crop, or both Monty’s can help improve the quality and quantity of these crops.

Planting

Starting from Seed - Place four (4) drops of Monty’s 4-15-12 in 1 cup (8 ounces) of water. Soak seeds overnight.  Plant normally. Water seeds into their cell trays with remaining solution. Add additional water as needed to moisten the soil. While the seedling is getting established you may occasionally add 1-2 drops of Monty’s 2-15-15 per cup of water as part of your normal watering.  It is important to keep the seedling in good health and provide water as frequently as needed.  Take care to not let the seedling completely dry out or to over-water as they are susceptible to ‘wash out’ at this stage.

Continue using 2-15-15 through the early stages of development to encourage vigorous root development while keeping top growth to a minimum.  The high levels of Potassium and Phosphorous in our Root and Bloom formula are ideal for this purpose.  However, if more top-growth is desired you can use 4-15-12 which has slightly more nitrogen, but will still provide for controlled top growth.

Starting from Transplants - When transplanting Cole crops to the garden, remove plants from  their flats or cell trays, break roots apart gently. Place the plants in a container full of Monty’s 4-15-12 Root and Bloom, diluted to 1 oz. per gallon of water.  Dig your holes deep enough to cover the plant to the first limb junction.  Remove your plants from the solution and ‘sucker’ the plant to the first main limb.  Plant and cover with soil.  After all plants have been planted, water in with remaining solution from your ‘root dip’ container.  Repeat as necessary until all of your flats have been planted.

In-Season

Crops raised for Greens – For these crops you will want to continue using Monty’s 8-16-8 at least once a week for maximum development.  Apply Monty’s 8-16-8 at a rate of 1 oz. per gallon of water.  If you are using a hose end applicator dilute Monty’s 1:3 with water in the reservoir, then set the dial to 2 teaspoons and water until it looks like it has had a light rain or heavy dew.

Crops raised for fruit – For these crops you will want to begin using Monty’s 8-16-8 at least once a week for maximum development.  Apply Monty’s 8-16-8 at a rate of 1 oz. per gallon of water.  If you are using a hose end applicator dilute Monty’s 1:3 with water in the reservoir, then set the dial to 2 teaspoons and water until it looks like it has had a light rain or heavy dew. Once the crop has begun to set flower or set fruit, switch to Monty’s 2-15-15 formula at the same dilution rates indicated above.  Continue weekly through the end of the season.

Crops raised for roots – For these crops you will want to begin using Monty’s 2-15-15 at least once a week for maximum development.  Apply Monty’s 2-15-15 at a rate of 1 oz. per gallon of water.  If you are using a hose end applicator dilute Monty’s 1:3 with water in the reservoir, then set the dial to 2 teaspoons and water until it looks like it has had a light rain or heavy dew. Continue till the end of harvest. Since these crops tend to prefer heavier soils that are kept evenly moist additional watering may be necessary for maximum development.  Do not allow the soil around these plant to dry out.  Cole crops are shallow rooted and even a few days of dry soil in the upper profile can dramatically impact production.  Mulching may prove beneficial, especially in extreme weather conditions. Applications of Monty’s Liquid Carbon two weeks prior to planting at a rate of 32 ounces in 15 gallons of water may prove beneficial in helping maintain proper soil environment.

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