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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Low temps for almost mature/mature Broccoli andCauliflower

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  • From: "Beth Spaugh" <lists AT rhomestead.com>
  • To: "'Market Farming'" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Low temps for almost mature/mature Broccoli andCauliflower
  • Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2010 13:16:33 -0500

My cauliflower has cold damage - last OK harvest was last week, in zone 4 where we have had it cold. The broccoli is still good, but broccoli also keeps pretty well.  If temps are going to barely get above freezing, I would harvest now and keep on back porch/somewhere cold but protected if you don't have a cooler yet.  I went ahead and harvested my napa cabbage when we had a couple warm nights and 50s day simply because it has only morning sun and was not thawing out previously. Some cabbages are still in the field, until I get through tomorrow's pre-Thanksgiving market and can arrange garage cold storage for the cabbages.
 
Beth Spaugh
Rehoboth Homestead, Peru, NY
Farm Fresh Food Club CSA - http://rhomestead.com 
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Garden fresh vegetables, organically grown, and pastured chicken, duck, and geese
 
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From: market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Jay Sleichter
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 1:03 AM
To: Market Farming
Subject: [Market-farming] Low temps for almost mature/mature Broccoli andCauliflower

I am still harvesting broccoli and cauliflower that are outside with no protection. It has been a great fall/winter for these crops.  We have had low temps down to 18 degrees and they seem just fine the next day. I still have 15 plus harvest size heads of cauliflower and 30 plus heads and many more side shoots of broccoli left.  While it isn't alot, I would prefer to leave them alone as opposed to harvest and put in the fridge. 

How do you think they will fair in the 16 to 18 degree range overnight with highs just  above freezing during the day.  Then 50's by the weekend?

Would covering them with row cover that isn't held up by anything help or hurt?

Last year I lost the tail end due to temps getting down to single digits for several days and the highs in the teens.   What a difference a year makes!

Thanks for any advice,

Jay
"Cold and Concerned Cole Crop Caregiver" 

Jay's Jellies, Produce and More
Clay Center, Kansas
www.jaysjellies.com
http://highfarming.blogspot.com/





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