Yesterday I planted Brocolli, Cauliflower and Cabbages. I ended up with some extra cabbages which I tucked in the middle of the cauliflower and broccoli. I can harvest the cabbage small and leave more room for the others to grow. These plants are on the small side (I prefer to think of them as "compact") but very dark green and healthy. They had good roots systems. The spent their wholes lives under the new LED lights and being bottom watered in the Gardener's Supply GrowEase cells.
These transplants have not been hardened off. I have found that setting cole crops out early under insect netting and shade cloth is enough to ease them into outdoor life. I have also supplemented with frost cloth and/or shade baskets depending on the temperature or amount of sun. The netting is enough to break the wind and the shade cloth is 40% and blocks enough sun.
I planted them late yesterday afternoon and today is overcast and rainy which is a good transition for them. Over the next week I will peel back the shade cloth for some time each day. If we happen to get any hot sunny days I can add baskets to them to filter out more sun. I also need to add a thick layer of shredded leaf mulch but first I am going to let them establish and get some height.
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