Fall is a good time in our area for greens such as kale and collards, as well as other related members of the Brassica family such as broccoli, turnips, radishes and arugula. Over the past several years we have also been attempting to raise cauliflower with varying degrees of success. The first time we planted it way too late, and finally harvested some in February. Last season was a disaster due to the drought and the lack of a killing frost until nearly Decemeber. Aphids were extremely destructed and damaged most of our crops severely except for some turnips and collards that managed to hang on.
This year was the charm as I started the cauliflower, broccoli and kale at the end of July and we transplanted them after Labor Day. Also a first was the use of shade netting for about six weeks which really seemed to help them grow. So everything has been much better, and we harvested the cauliflower in mid December before the onset of the extreme cold.
