Supplemental irrigation is important for growing cole crops in Nebraska. Broccoli and cauliflower can withstand light frosts. This can be a particular problem in broccoli and cauliflower. Cabbage is the most heat tolerant, but prolonged high temperatures cause puffy heads with long cores and increased tipburn. Quality deteriorates and plants develop bitter flavors and a tough texture.
Young plants can tolerate colder and warmer temperatures than older plants.
This favors the use of transplants for early spring crops and seed for fall crops. Cabbage, kohlrabi, and broccoli, in that order, are the easiest cole crops to grow. Cauliflower and brussels sprouts are more difficult. When irrigationd, both yield and quality of cole crops increase from east to west across Nebraska. Excellent yields of high quality cauliflower have been harvested in the fall at the North Platte and Scottsbluff Experiment Stations.