Caulie crop 2021 how has it gone?

[Bigjon44]

Yeah job is great when they make 12,13,14 quid a dozen!don't mind going out there looking for them.but obviously when they make that money you never seem to have many!Still doesn't make up for the 4 quids, 4.80s

 

[Devil's advocate]

Yeah job is great when they make 12,13,14 quid a dozen!don't mind going out there looking for them.but obviously when they make that money you never seem to have many!Still doesn't make up for the 4 quids, 4.80s

Fair enougth. I do come from a retail background as well as production so different outlook.

A rebalancing seems likely when most sectors of agriculture have seen such rises in production cost & value of end product.

We feel to have had a decent year across a varied business but next years costs are scary.

 

[Devil's advocate]

What spacing are growers using for caulie.

I'm a bit unusual growing on 64 inch raised beds (grow swedes & potatoes too)

So later crops are 18 inch or 20 inch on 32 inch rows. Heads a bit too large this year, although if cut very early whilst still wrapped perfect 6's to a French tray. Just finishing season (6 weeks too early) 3 to a banana box.

I can plant 3 rows to bed so 3 x 16 inch with 32 inch between beds, I think next year I will do that with half the crop with various in row spacing. Certainly where two plants have grown in one block the heads were a better saleable size. & matured 10 days later.

 

[ridger]

What spacing are growers using for caulie.

I'm a bit unusual growing on 64 inch raised beds (grow swedes & potatoes too)

So later crops are 18 inch or 20 inch on 32 inch rows. Heads a bit too large this year, although if cut very early whilst still wrapped perfect 6's to a French tray. Just finishing season (6 weeks too early) 3 to a banana box.

I can plant 3 rows to bed so 3 x 16 inch with 32 inch between beds, I think next year I will do that with half the crop with various in row spacing. Certainly where two plants have grown in one block the heads were a better saleable size. & matured 10 days later.

I was 14 inches, but only a 2 row planter, seemed to work OK. Bird damage was a big problem

 

[Bigjon44]

And f ing pigeons!!

 

[Bigjon44]

Sorry rabbits!!

 

[DRC]

A lot of our caulies in the veg garden and poly tunnel, didn’t grow any heads this year, all leaf or tiny heads.
my wife goes on polytunnel forums where other growers experienced the same.
What do you professional growers think caused it.
Everything else grew well

 

[Devil's advocate]

I was 14 inches, but only a 2 row planter, seemed to work OK. Bird damage was a big problem

28 inch ridges?

14 inch crumbs that is what I put Hispi at (3 row bed)

I presume that is summer & early Autumn caulie not winter caulie?

 

[Devil's advocate]

And f ing pigeons!!

Our shooters took out 400 this year but plenty more, still causing damage to sprouts for on the stem trade, some need tops cutting off now.

 

[Devil's advocate]

A lot of our caulies in the veg garden and poly tunnel, didn’t grow any heads this year, all leaf or tiny heads.
my wife goes on polytunnel forums where other growers experienced the same.
What do you professional growers think caused it.
Everything else grew well

No idea, a pest of some type eating the heart out early????

Buttoning can occur with tiny heads if short of nutriction or very cold or hot.