On schedule last week I transplanted the fall cauliflower crop into soil with good moisture content from the recent rains. I carefully watered the transplants daily under the unrelenting sun. Although the transplants were healthy and in good condition, they struggled to take root as the soil temperatures rose. Sorry to report, the mortality rate was over 50%...oh the struggles we face! In the Atlanta region we average only 15 days all summer with temperatures above 90 degrees, this July we've had more than that with a lot of days into the mid 90's.
I had a 2 flats of transplants unplanted so 3 things I did this week. First I put in the extra transplants then I shaded both bed of transplants. Sad to say, had I shaded the transplants originally I wouldn't be having this problem now. A hard lesson relearned, some years I need to shade, some years I don't. This was one of those years. I also started a couple new flats of cauliflower seeds and I will get those in the ground as soon as they are up and growing. With the shade cloth, I can put out the transplants sooner and hopefully the crop won't be too late. It's amazing how just a little bit of protection will keep the soil from getting too hot to establish transplants or start seeds.
Last week I also started the first of the broccoli seed plantings. I'll do two crops of broccoli spread two weeks apart so last week was the first to be started. Next week I'll start the second crop of broccoli. While I was at it last week I started a crop of cabbage for the fall. Cabbage does better in the spring but the variety I grew this spring did exceptionally well so I thought I'd give it a try this fall. I'll get the cabbage transplants in the ground in about 2 weeks under shade if necessary.
So word to the wise, if you are planting anything over the next few weeks, if the temps stay elevated, a little bit of temporary shade will help your planting get established.
I had a 2 flats of transplants unplanted so 3 things I did this week. First I put in the extra transplants then I shaded both bed of transplants. Sad to say, had I shaded the transplants originally I wouldn't be having this problem now. A hard lesson relearned, some years I need to shade, some years I don't. This was one of those years. I also started a couple new flats of cauliflower seeds and I will get those in the ground as soon as they are up and growing. With the shade cloth, I can put out the transplants sooner and hopefully the crop won't be too late. It's amazing how just a little bit of protection will keep the soil from getting too hot to establish transplants or start seeds.
Last week I also started the first of the broccoli seed plantings. I'll do two crops of broccoli spread two weeks apart so last week was the first to be started. Next week I'll start the second crop of broccoli. While I was at it last week I started a crop of cabbage for the fall. Cabbage does better in the spring but the variety I grew this spring did exceptionally well so I thought I'd give it a try this fall. I'll get the cabbage transplants in the ground in about 2 weeks under shade if necessary.
So word to the wise, if you are planting anything over the next few weeks, if the temps stay elevated, a little bit of temporary shade will help your planting get established.
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