Brassicas Planting Calendar
Planting & Setup
Cruciferous Vegetables and Cabbage Family are other names for the Brassica family. This group includes broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, collards, arugula and bok choy — some of the most nutrient-dense foods and most rewarding crops you can grow. Brassicas are cool-season vegetables that thrive in spring and fall when temperatures are moderate. In the Deep Roots system, brassicas grow best in microbe and compost-rich soil with consistent moisture and early planting. As always, brassicas benefit from early planting, consistent moisture, and microbe & compost-rich soil. See our Growing Brassicas blog post.
HOW TO PLANT guide for the column below:
Direct = Directly sow your seeds in your outdoor soil at the correct depth
Transplant = Plant seedlings ("transplants") that were grown indoors
Either = Direct sow seeds or plant seedlings
| Crop Name | How To Plant | Spring Planting | Fall Planting | Germinate Indoors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arugula | Direct | 3/20–5/15 | 8/15–9/15 | No |
| Bok Choy | Either | 3/25–5/10 | 8/10–9/10 | Optional |
| Broccoli | Transplant | 4/10–5/20 | 7/25–8/15 | Yes (4–6 wks before) |
| Broccolini | Transplant | 4/10–5/20 | 7/25–8/15 | Yes (4–6 wks before) |
| Cabbage | Transplant | 4/10–5/20 | 7/25–8/15 | Yes (4–6 wks before) |
| Napa Cabbage | Either | 4/1–5/10 | 8/1–9/1 | Optional |
| Collards | Either | 4/1–5/30 | 8/1–9/1 | Optional |
| Kale | Either | 3/25–5/30 | 8/1–9/15 | Optional |
| Mustard Greens | Direct | 3/20–5/15 | 8/10–9/20 | No |
Growing Conditions
| Crop Name | Sunlight | Temperature Tolerances | Planting Soil Temperature | Seed Depth | Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arugula | Full–part | 25°F–80°F | 40–75°F | 0.25 in. | 20–30 |
| Bok Choy | Full–part | 28°F–75°F | 50–75°F | 0.25 in. | 30–45 |
| Broccoli | Full sun | 26°F–75°F | 55–75°F | 0.25 in. | 60–80 |
| Broccolini | Full sun | 28°F–80°F | 55–80°F | 0.5 in. | 35–50 |
| Cabbage | Full sun | 25°F–80°F | 50–80°F | 0.5 in. | 60–80 |
| Napa Cabbage | Full–part | 28°F–75°F | 50–75°F | 0.25 in. | 50–70 |
| Collards | Full–part | 20°F–85°F | 50–85°F | 0.5 in. | 50–70 |
| Kale | Full–part | 15°F–80°F | 45–80°F | 0.5 in. | 50–70 |
| Mustard Greens | Full–part | 25°F–85°F | 50–85°F | 0.25 in. | 30–50 |
Swede Midge fly: This recent invasive pest damages growing tips and makes it very hard to produce large-headed crops like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Kale and collards are least damaged by swede midge since we harvest leaves, not a whole head. The fly larvae survive the winter in the soil. See our Swede Midge blog post.
Kale and collards, which are much more resilient and continue producing even when the plant is stressed. These crops also provide a longer harvest window and are easier for beginners.
Spray weekly with BT (Bacillus Thuringensis) to repel all the other common insects. We can eat green leafy veggies with a few (caterpillar (cabbage worm) holes as long as we wash them first. A few holes doesn't hurt humans or the plant. But may not be okay with neighbors and friends who share your harvest. We don’t expect 100% perfect veggies.
Fungal Diseases: “Club Root” prevents flower heads forming and attacks broccoli and broccolini roots and stunts plant growth. It is very tricky to prevent and manage since the disease stays in the soil for many years. Another example is “stem rot” which can be stopped with a biofungicide/bactericide spray.
Some favorites: Broccolini is a fast growing, delicious crop that can replace broccoli. Brussel Sprouts need meticulous crop protection over a long season. Choose short season, compact cabbages for success. Kale is a superfood you can plant early and mid-season for abundant crops.
Fall planting often produces the best quality crops with fewer pests and improved flavor. These plants prefer steady growth in cooler weather and often produce better flavor and texture in fall than in spring.
Short-season greens like baby kale, mustard greens, or bok choy are the easiest brassicas to grow. Sown in early spring or late summer, they will start producing baby greens in just a few weeks and maybe harvested at full size for cooking.
