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Brassica Production Practices And Concerns In Vermont And The Northeast, Heather Darby

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Brassica crops are an important crop on diversified vegetable farms in Vermont and the Northeast. Brassicas are becoming more popular as a cover crop due to their unique benefits to soil health. They can provide ground cover and cover crop biomass quickly in the fall, and brassicas with long taproots further break up compaction in the soil. Brassicas on vegetable farms include rutabaga, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collards, and mustard greens. Despite the benefits, not all vegetables producers are quick to add brassicas or brassica cover crops to their rotation due to pest and disease management concerns. Increased …