You’ll be able to plant cool-weather vegetables soon, said Julie Emerling, who is in charge of herbs and vegetables at Lockwood’s Greenhouses, 4484 Clark St., Hamburg.
People know the rule of thumb is that you wait until Memorial Day to do most of your planting. That’s because for many of our plants, we need to wait until the danger of frost has passed and we have warm weather.
The vegetables that we’re talking about today should be planted earlier because they like the cooler weather and can take some light frost.
The plants will be available at Lockwood’s in the middle or end of April. They generally can be planted at the end of April or beginning of May.
You need to wait until the ground is dry enough to be worked; you can’t plant in mud. You also need the weather to be warm enough.
While the plants can take some light frost, if it is going to get very cold (like 27 degrees Fahrenheit), you want to protect the plants. Before the temperature drops, cover the plants with a cloth or milk jugs or pails or other containers to retain the heat.
Seeds are available at Lockwood’s, too. You need a very sunny window or grow lights to start the seeds inside, Emerling said. Move the seedlings to a cooler but protected spot, such as a basement or garage, before you transplant them outside.
For some of these vegetables, you can get two crops: Plant one in spring and one at the end of summer. As a plant finishes, you can put something else in that spot. Do the fall crops wherever you have an open space. It’s good to rotate your crops and plant things in different spots, Emerling noted.
Spinach and lettuces
Plant these directly from seed into the ground when the soil can be worked. Emerling suggested planting them in a container. If the weather gets too cold, you can bring the container in.
You can plant lettuce every two weeks to get a continuous crop, she said. It may not like the hot weather, but if you keep it well watered and a little bit shaded, it will grow.
Kale
Kale can withstand a fairly heavy frost. You can buy kale plants in the middle or end of April.
Fred Safford, who works with trees and shrubs at Lockwood’s, said that he has started kale outside in mid-April from seed.
Peas
For peas, you plant the seeds directly into the ground. Lockwood’s carries snow pea and shelling pea seeds.
Broccoli
If you plant in the beginning of May, you’ll harvest around the end of June.
When you cut the main head out, the plant will produce side shoots that you can harvest, Emerling said.
If it gets hot out, the broccoli will bolt, added Safford. Bolting is when the plant prematurely produces a flower and goes to seed.
You can get two crops with broccoli. Plant the fall crop at the end of August or beginning of September and you’ll harvest in about 1 ½ months, depending on the weather. It can withstand a frost.
Cabbage
Plant cabbage at the beginning of May and you should harvest in about two months. However, bigger varieties of cabbage take longer to grow and won’t be ready to harvest until August or September.
If you want a second crop of cabbage, you can plant one of the smaller, early varieties in the beginning of September.
Tip: If we get a bad rain, the head could split. The cabbage will be fine to eat; it just doesn’t look as appealing.
Cauliflower
If you plant in spring, you will probably harvest in mid-June. You can get a second crop if you plant seeds at the beginning of August. You’ll probably harvest in late September, depending on the weather.
Tip: When the plants are getting big and the head starts to form, tie up the leaves to protect the head. You can use a zip tie, twine or string. This will keep the head white and prevent it from turning purple, plus it will keep bugs out, Emerling said.
Brussels sprouts
You can only get one crop with brussels sprouts; they’re really slow growing. You plant in late April or May and harvest in late October or November.
“I had some last year, but my cows ate them,” said Emerling, who lives above the Boston Hills.
Do cows like brussels sprouts?
“Apparently,” she said, “because they ate them all.”
Chris, you can follow the directions on the seed package. If you want more information, ask Master Gardeners. See this article to find out how to talk to the Master Gardeners and ask them a question. I hope that helps!
Hello, Last year I fell in law with zinnias that I saw at Letchworth State park. I bought the seeds and plan to plan them in a galvanized tub. Could you please advise, should I plant the seeds directly into the tub or start them indoors first. I live in the southtowns if that makes a difference. Thank you.
Ernest, you can see some remedies for slugs here on this previous article.
Is there any better way to stop slugs other than beer ?
Ken, I’ll have to try that. Marigolds are supposed to keep carpenter ants away, another critter that we have a problem with in our neighborhood. Thanks for that tip.
Connie, I have found planting marigolds around the edge of my garden and a few between the plants has helped to ward of those pesky wabbits. Not all of them but it has seemed to help. I can grow a whole flat of marigolds from one 50 cent pack of cheap seeds so not all that expensive, and chemical free.
Thanks for a very informative article. Going to plant a lot more this year and get 2 harvests as suggestesd.
Wow, I’ve had rabbits eat my plants before I could harvest them, but at least I was able to get them past the seed stage! I’ll categorize this article in the “Pests and Weeds” topic.
Phyllis, thank you. Good idea.
Re: Lettuce planting. Try planting the seeds in a container that’s not in contact with the ground. The seedlings can be transplanted into the garden later.
It really is the start to a great growing season. Who know cows ate Brussels Sprouts?
Great seeing you guys at Plantasia!
Yum.
I planted lettuce one year from seed and ants carried away all the seeds the same day I planted them. It was a sight to behold. Is there a hint to prevent that?