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Growers can still purchase field-grown transplants locally
Dixie Plant Farms in Franklin offers field-grown transplants for Cole crops such as broccoli, cabbage and kale.
By Bobbie Whitehead
Growers and gardeners alike still wanting to put in fall crops can find bare-root transplants, all field grown, in Franklin.
Dixie Plant Farms at 21242 Dixie Farm Road sells broccoli, cabbage, collard and kale plants for transplanting.
“I sell Cole crops all year long,” said Owner Brad Lankford, who sells the bare-root plants any quantity, depending on the customers' needs.
Folks can also purchase some fall crop plants at Tidewater Farm Supply in Windsor and at the Suffolk City Market and Country Store from Howard Piland, said Kevin Beale with Beale and Johnson Markets LLC.
Growers and gardeners alike still wanting to put in fall crops can find bare-root transplants, all field grown, in Franklin.
Dixie Plant Farms at 21242 Dixie Farm Road sells broccoli, cabbage, collard and kale plants for transplanting.
“I sell Cole crops all year long,” said Owner Brad Lankford, who sells the bare-root plants any quantity, depending on the customers' needs.
Folks can also purchase some fall crop plants at Tidewater Farm Supply in Windsor and at the Suffolk City Market and Country Store from Howard Piland, said Kevin Beale with Beale and Johnson Markets LLC.
“I like growing broccoli in the fall,” said Beale, who said most growers buy from Dixie Plant Farms. “Dixie is the last open air grower in the area.”
What Beale prefers about the open field transplants is that they grow in the field and not in a controlled environment such as a greenhouse.
“Greenhouse transplants, to me, aren’t as resilient to the weather,” Beale said.
With fall plants and seed available, Beale said many market vendors will continue planting to sell collards, cabbage, kale and broccoli.
“Collards are huge around Thanksgiving,” Beale said.
The broccoli season in Virginia typically lasts from September through November with collards and other greens coming in around October and November. Cabbage can grow through December and with its popularity, the National Agricultural Statistics Service reports that Virginia growers planted 850 acres of cabbage in 2007, harvesting 800 acres.
For gardeners deciding to plant fall crops, the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service in its “September Tips” article suggests planting spinach, lettuce, kale, turnips and radishes in early September.
Growers and gardeners most often plant these as the final crop for the fall, and the Extension Service notes that it’s a good idea “to soak the seed furrows before sowing the seeds.” While some growers sow the seeds, others prefer to sow the young plants.
Whether you’re looking to buy the leafy greens or you want to grow them to eat and sell, kale, cabbage, collards and broccoli all provide good sources of the Vitamins A, C and K, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Also, all four vegetables provide good sources of fiber, potassium, and magnesium.
Cabbage also serves as a good source for calcium, and both kale and collards provide good sources of beta carotene, according to the USDA.
What Beale prefers about the open field transplants is that they grow in the field and not in a controlled environment such as a greenhouse.
“Greenhouse transplants, to me, aren’t as resilient to the weather,” Beale said.
With fall plants and seed available, Beale said many market vendors will continue planting to sell collards, cabbage, kale and broccoli.
“Collards are huge around Thanksgiving,” Beale said.
The broccoli season in Virginia typically lasts from September through November with collards and other greens coming in around October and November. Cabbage can grow through December and with its popularity, the National Agricultural Statistics Service reports that Virginia growers planted 850 acres of cabbage in 2007, harvesting 800 acres.
For gardeners deciding to plant fall crops, the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service in its “September Tips” article suggests planting spinach, lettuce, kale, turnips and radishes in early September.
Growers and gardeners most often plant these as the final crop for the fall, and the Extension Service notes that it’s a good idea “to soak the seed furrows before sowing the seeds.” While some growers sow the seeds, others prefer to sow the young plants.
Whether you’re looking to buy the leafy greens or you want to grow them to eat and sell, kale, cabbage, collards and broccoli all provide good sources of the Vitamins A, C and K, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Also, all four vegetables provide good sources of fiber, potassium, and magnesium.
Cabbage also serves as a good source for calcium, and both kale and collards provide good sources of beta carotene, according to the USDA.
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