Brassicas
Brassicas are a great family of plants which
includes Brocolli, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts and Cabbage, amongst
others. They are generally easy to
grow and they provide produce in both Spring and Autumn.Stalwarts of the kitchen garden these
plants are renowned for their great flavour and can be used in many types of
cookery. If you wish to grow these
plants from seed please visit our full seed range.
How to
grow
All brassicas grow well in the U.K. and by
following a few simple rules you can ensure good growth and excellent cropping.
Position
Plant your plugs in a sunny spot that is not
shaded or open to harsh winds.It
is best to position brassicas in a spot that peas or beans once occupied
following a pattern of crop rotation.
Soil
All brassicas are heavy feeders and require a
well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. It is best practice to
incorporate plenty of well-rotted garden manure in the Autumn prior to planting
as this will provide all the essential nutrients for growth. If you haven’t
done this you can still grow brassicas by incorporating multi-purpose compost
or home made garden compost in to the soil and adding a general fertiliser. Soil should have a pH of 6.0 – 7.5 and
you can add Lime to help achieve this if your soil is a touch on the acid side.
Care
Water plants regularly making sure not to
over-water. Check regularly for
pests and diseases and act accordingly. You can also feed plants with a liquid seaweed feed which can help
improve plant vigour and provide nutrients.
Harvesting
Harvesting will depend on the particular crop
you’re growing and you should refer to their particular growing instructions.
Top Tip
Cover with netting straight after planting. These crops are a favourite food for
birds and a host food for the cabbage white butterfly. Netting will help stop any damage to
plants.