By Christa Snyder
Cole crops are among the most hardy and disease resistant crops out there. This is especially true with the newest hybrid varieties.
Cole crops grow best in a loamy soil with a pH between 6 and 6.5, although it is sometimes grown at pHs above 7 due to club root problems.
Cole crops can be grown twice in our area. Plant them around March 1 for a spring crop and again around August 15 for a fall crop.
These crops grow great in wide rows. This means planting in grids, in a 3-2 pattern or a 2-1 pattern instead of single rows.
Cole crops are heavy feeders. A fertile soil is a must. Feed each plant roughly 1 tablespoon of 10-10-10 fertilizer once a month until harvest.
It is wise not to mulch your spring crops with straw because it keeps the soil cool and can slow growth.
Begin your harvest as soon as there is something big enough to eat. This will extend your harvest for many weeks.
Major Cole Insects:
Aphids - These are a minor insect of the Cole family but can become troublesome in large quantities. They suck the juices out of the plant causing leaves to yellow and fall off. Treat these with soapy water or by applying an approved insecticide such as malathion.
Cabbage Looper - These worms arise from eggs laid by a brown moth. They are a top pest but are generally not as aggressive as other worms that attack the Cole family. Apply Bacillus Thuringiensis as a biological control for these worms.
Imported Cabbage Worm - These worms arise from eggs laid by the white moth. Most of you have seen these flying around your gardens in the spring and fall. The worms eat the plant and can completely defoliate and ruin the members of the Cole crop family. One must treat for these in order to have a harvest. Apply Bacillus Thuringiensis as a biological control for these worms.
Source : ncsu.edu