Brassicaceae - The Cabbage Family
Brassicaceae – The Cabbage Family
The Brassicaceae or cabbage family is large and diverse and are grown for there leaves, buds, stems, roots, or shoots. They grow best in cool moist climates and are very rich in vitamins and minerals. The brassiciceae are very hardy store well and provide important food.
Brassicaceae need a firm moisture retentive soil, they will not thrive where moisture is limited. In a crop rotation this family follows the nitrogen fixing pea-bean family. A green manure of clover or vetch gives leafy brassica all the nitrogen they need. In the absence of a green manure a medium soil improver such as compost or Organic Compost Plus can be applied to the brassica bed. Acidic soils should be treated with lime or hydrated Lime in fall prior to growing brassica . Brassica can be started from seed or starter plants. Brassica such as arugula and radishes sown directly from seed grow quickly. Broccoli or kohlrabi planted as starter plants can be ready in as little as eight weeks.
The brassicaceae or cabbage family makes up a large portion of crops grown so it is important to have a good crop rotation. The most serious disease of the brassicaceae are spores, which can survive in the soil for up to two years. Cabbage root larvae also attack the roots of this family. Young plants can be protected with an all-purpose fabric . The fabric can also be used to protect plants from flea beetles and in some cases from birds. From late spring onward some moths and butterflies may lay there eggs on brassica plants. Other pests to be aware of are aphids and cabbage whiteflies. It pays to remove all members of this crop family once a year to break this pest and disease cycle.
The Complete Vegetable & Herb Gardener: A Guide to Growing Your Garden Organically .
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