Vegetable production

Overwintered Spinach Variety Trial, 1981-1982

In northern states, spinach is normally planted in early spring for late spring harvest or in late summer for autumn harvest. Spring plantings are often limited by the difficulty of working cold, wet soils and many varieties bolt in the long daylengths and increasing temperatures of late spring. Autumn crops must be established during periods of very high soil temperature and low soil moisture and require frequent irrigation.

Overwintered Cabbage

Overwintering varieties of cabbage are available, particularly from European seed companies. Variety trials were conducted in 1980 and 1981, with planting dates the same as for the cauliflower, but quality was low and disease incidence high. The hardiest varieties had pointed or conical heads which are not desired in the local markets.

From the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station Special Report 769, April, 1986

Summary of Cauliflower Trials and Recommendations

1. Varieties.
Winter cauliflower varieties require a cold period to induce head formation. The heads, or curd, of overwintering cauliflower are composed of true flower buds and are usually of lower density than for Snowball types in which the curd is floral primordia tissue. Stems often tend to be slightly green and flavor tends to be mild. Because of the low density and tendency to break up when the stem is removed, these varieties are considered more promising for fresh market than for processing.

Lime and Fertilizer Effects on Overwintered Cauliflower, 1983-1985

As a result of the variety and planting date trials described above, overwintered cauliflower is now considered a crop of proven potential in the Willamette Valley. Trials at the North Willamette Station and by growers have usually given acceptable yields and quality. However, yields of early varieties, and particularly in cold springs, have occasionally been disappointing. Since plant nutrient uptake is limited on cold soils, these low yields may have been caused by inadequate availability of P or other elements.

Overwinter Cauliflower Variety Trial, 1982-1983

This was the fourth and last of the series of variety trials and focused on mid-maturity varieties to determine those with the best combination of yield and quality. The previous trials had established that the best quality is obtained with varieties maturing in April and early May.

The trial was seeded on July 27, and transplanted on September 3, 1982. On February 16, 1983, 35 pounds N/acre as ammonium sulfate, 40 pounds N/acre as calcium nitrate, and 100 pounds/acre of 0-45-0 was sidedressed. An additional 75 pounds N/acre as ammonium nitrate was applied on March 14.

Planting Dates and Rate of Nitrogen on Cauliflower

In an attempt to confirm results obtained in 1979, the cultivars Armado April and Preminda (Royal Sluis Co.) were seeded on August 1, 16, and 30, 1979, and were transplanted on August 28, September 10, and October 8, respectively. Nitrogen rates, in addition to the base fertilizer at planting, were 1) 50 pounds N/acre sidedressed as ammonium nitrate on February 12 and again on March 7, 1980, and 2) 100 pounds N/acre on the same dates. Plots were 4 rows x 25 feet and treatments were in randomized block design.