The only potential drawback I could see would be that cole crops take alot out of your soil, so over time it might be good to altenate beans and peas in the cole bed.

a little rotation including either a legume or a green manure would definitely help. But, I guess if you work in enough compost every year, it would work.

I think your cauliflower would get too large and smother your carrots. I'd give it and the broccoli 18" squares and cut the bed down to just three crops.

Granny

Here is a link that might be useful: Annie's Kitchen Garden

I think you would shade your carrots too much.

Good opinions everyone! I'm just not sure how much of each thing I want to plant.

How many heads of cauliflower and broccoli could I get in a spring season before they bolt? It usually doesn't get above 80 until the end of June here.

Good question, jleiwig. I'd be interested in knowing, too. I only grew cauliflower and broccoli once, and that was a long time ago. I remember it being very successful, and I know I would have started mine in the garden, from seed, not with transplants. Our high temps can hit anytime during June.

I'd say go find a table of your average temperatures, find your hot days and count back...plant accordingly. For instance if the variety says 65 days to maturity, count back 65 days from your really hot (average) weather and plant on that date.

Granny

Here is a link that might be useful: Annie's Kitchen Garden

I agree on the cauliflower getting too big. And what would you grow there after bolting? I presume you'd rotate and do something different next year, as that is easier than incorporating compost every year.

Dan