NY research trials create mini broccoli, mini cabbage

The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program has awarded a grant for trials of early spring, high-tunnel miniature cabbages and sprouting broccoli crops.

These cold-tolerant brassica (cruciferous) crops have the potential to fill the gap between when winter storage crops are sold out and before spring field crop harvest begins in the state's northern region, according to a news release.

The research team, which includes vegetable production specialists with Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Willsboro Research Farm, harvested its first mini versions of these vegetables in May.

The opportunity to grow miniature varieties of broccoli and cabbages that are quick-growing and can thrive in unheated high tunnels will help northern New York growers respond to the unprecedented surge in demand for local foods spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In 2020, wholesale buyers sought out more sprouting broccoli than the market could supply through the northern New York food hubs,” Elisabeth Hodgdon, regional vegetable specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension, said in the release.

Notices about in-person and virtual 2021 Brassica Workshops for growers and the final project results report will be posted at nnyagdev.org.