Brassicas

Brassicas in garden (photo Yvette Henson) by Yvette Henson I just planted my brassica seeds in flats to plant out into the garden when it is time.   Brassicas are plants in the Brassicaceae family ,  also known as cruciferous or cole crops.   Plants in this family that are grown for eating include cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, mustard, radishes, turnips, and more.   As vegetables, they are rich in anti-cancer compounds, one of which is free glutamine.   Brassicas are also high in other many other nutrients. Brassicas are cool-season crops.   Although some varieties can take longer to mature, they can better survive temperatures below freezing.  We can plant them before the last spring frost and/or later in the summer so they mature when temperatures are cooler (which will improve their flavor and quality).   Cool-season crops generally do very well in our mountain communities where we have lower day and nighttime temperatures.   They can grow well in the open but growing under