Starting Brassica Seeds

Here in Ohio, growing zone 6A, it is time to start all the brassica seeds. The broccoli seeds, cabbages, cauliflower, greens, and so many more. This is the first big push for warmer weather, sunny days, and time in the gardens. Starting brassica seeds is my favorite group of seeds to start.

Supplies I Use for Starting Brassica Seeds

I have used the same seed starting trays for 3 seasons now. I have planted in these seed trays 5 times now. Spring seed starting and fall seed starting. These seed starting trays are by far my favorite. This past January I tried a new seed tray for my onions and realize that they don’t hold a candle to the self-water trays I currently use. I will not be buying more of those trays but will be adding to my current collection of the tried-and-true trays I use. I purchase them from Gardener’s Supply. They are the Growease Seed Starter Kit.

I like these best for several reasons. The trays are made of a very sturdy plastic (pictured above with some of my brassicas). The cells themselves are large enough to hold plenty of soil so the cells stay moist longer and gives the plant plenty of room for growth. They come with a water reservoir, platform for the cells to set on, capillary mat, 12 or 24 count cells, and a sturdy doom for germination. These will last me for years.

The Dirt

The seed starting medium (soil) I use is by Espoma. I really like this company for many different products. It is light weight and perfect for starting seeds in. I get this brand from a local nursery called Petitti’s Garden Center. It has several stores here in Northeast Ohio. You can also find these products on Amazon.

I also use a vermiculite to top all my seeds once planted in each cell. This helps keep the soil moist, prevents algae forming, and helps deter damping off from happening.

Food

The fertilizer I use is also from Espoma, and I start this once my seedlings are about 1 inch high. It is a water-soluble fertilizer and easy to use. I fertilize once a week or every other week works too.

All of these together give your seedlings the best start and will give you the best plant for transplanting when the time comes.

Broccoli Varieties

This year I am adding a different heading broccoli to my collection. The variety I am trying is known to produce big, tight heads of broccoli and grow a little more compact than your average broccoli. It is also said to do well here in my Ohio growing zone. It is called Imperial from Johnny’s Seeds. I have started 8 cells of this variety and I’m thinking I may be starting brassica seeds again next week for a later harvest.

I will be planting my tried-and-true Purple Sprouting Broccoli from Gurney’s called Burgundy. This was a real showstopper in the garden last year. With big, beautiful leaves and tall, beautiful broccoli shoots it is a win win. Not only is this a beautiful plant, but it has an amazing flavor, and grew so well here in zone 6. The heads are not a typical heading broccoli but rather send up tall shoots and even continues to produce side shoots after the main ones have been harvested. The stems are nice and tender to eat as well.

Cauliflower Varieties

Cauliflower has always been a challenge for me to grow. They don’t do well in the heat and here in Ohio our springs can sometimes go from winter directly into summer. Last year, however, the variety I planted did amazing. I think the location in my garden was a big reason it produced so well. This garden gets lots of morning and afternoon sun but then shade for the hottest parts of the day. This is also a new planting area, here is an article on my revised no till method I used last year. This may have been another reason the cauliflower did so well. I also covered the heads of cauliflower to prevent them from getting sun scorch and this kept them a bit cooler.

This variety is from Annie’s Heirloom Seeds and is called All the Year-Round Cauliflower but unfortunately, they no longer carry this. Another good variety from Annies is the Snowball variety. This is very similar to the All the Year-Round in my opinion.

I have added a variety from Johnny’s Seeds called Clemintine. This is a yellow-orange cauliflower with large heads. I’m excited to see how this preforms in my garden this year. I will be planting both varieties in the same back garden and hope for the best.

Cabbage Varieties

I have my favorites and the Golden Acre Cabbage variety is one of them. This variety always preforms well for me in my garden no matter where I plant it. This was planted in the same area as the cauliflower last year and again did amazing. I will be keeping this variety in the garden for years to come. It produces big, firm heads that are sweet and juicy. This makes the best sauerkraut and is also good for eating raw in salads and slaws. This was also purchased from Annie’s Heirloom Seeds.

This year I have two different varieties of Chinese cabbage I will be trying. One is from Baker’s Creek called Hilton, and the other is from Gurney’s called Emiko. I love making kimchi and I am hoping to be able to produce and harvest my own Chinese cabbage just for this. I also love eating this cabbage raw as well, so fingers crossed.

Kale Varieties

We love having fresh greens in the garden and kale is a favorite. I will be sowing the varieties I usually plant as well as a new variety from Johnny’s called Westlandse Winter. This is supposed to be a vigorous grower with blue green curly leaves. I prefer the curly kales over the flat leaf types. I do have a Red Russian leaf variety that I plant that has large flat leaves with deep green foliage and reddish pink veins. Just beautiful but not my favorite eating variety. I just love starting brassica seeds!

My Greenhouse Set-Up for Starting Brassica Seeds

I love Aldi! They have the best “Aldi Finds” sometimes and my greenhouse is no exception. This plastic, zip up greenhouse has been home to my seedlings for 3 years now and has always been enough. I have added a little metal shelf with a “pop-over” cover, also from Aldi, for extra seedlings this year. Between the two of these I think I will have enough room for everything I intent to grow.

I use 3 grow lights, as well as a couple fans for circulation. This set up seems to work well for me, but I will let you know at the end of the seed starting season if I will be adding anything for next season (fall).

I hope you are starting some seeds, trying something new, and excited for the 2023 gardening season. Happy Planting!