Brassica

What Does Brassica Mean?

In botany, brassica refers to a family of crops that are more commonly known as mustard plants, cabbages, or cruciferous vegetables. Commonly grown for food, brassicas are native to warmer regions of Asia, the Mediterranean, and Western Europe. In North America, Australia, and South America, brassicas grow as wild weeds.

Maximum Yield Explains Brassica

Brassicas have been shown to have concentrated amounts of soluble fiber, manganese, vitamin K, as well as Vitamin C. This type of plants also has high levels of glucosinolates that can be reduced through boiling. The majority of brassicas are easy to grow, with the exception of cauliflower since this particular plant requires extra care for proper growth and development.

Since brassicas thrive in free-draining and firm soil, it is important to properly prepare the growing area in order to remove air pockets. It is also advisable to first treat the soil with well-rotted compost or manure first. To ensure that the soil is not overly acidic, gardeners sometimes add lime to the growing area. The best pH level for growing brassicas ranges from 6.5 to 7.5.