How to grow... Brassicas
Rocket Growing Guides
Brassicas tend to be very nutritious vegetables and they are nice and easy to grow in the garden. It’s a big category, with calabrese, broccoli, cabbage and kale and there are others too. They can all be looked after in much the same way.
- Brassicas Growing Guide
How to Plant Brassicas
- Brassicas prefer a sunny site with deep, firm, moisture retentive soil.
- They are best grown in raised beds or a well dug veg patch.
- Depending on the type – about 30cm apart is a good general rule for growing brassicas. Broccoli can get surprisingly big, so it’s worth giving them a little extra space, 50cm will do the trick.
- When you plant your brassicas, it’s a good idea to put a 10cm diameter covering around the base. Some old carpet or a bit of cardboard. This is known as a brassica collar and keeps your veg protected from cabbage root fly.
How to Grow Brassicas
- Make sure plants don’t dry out – regular watering is important during dry spells. Use a liquid feed once they’ve started to grow a little, as they need a little extra nitrogen.
- Keep weeds down and cover with a mesh netting to keep butterflies (Cabbage Whites love brassicas) and birds away (pigeons are the worst culprit).
Common Pests and Problems with Brassicas
- Caterpillars and slugs
- Cabbage rootfly
- Pigeons and rabbits
- Clubroot
How to Harvest and Store Brassicas
- You’ll be able to see when your brassicas are ready.
- Use secateurs to cut veg like cauliflower and broccoli from their stalk.
- For cabbages and leafy brassicas, cut them at the base with a sharp knife.
- Harvest them as you want to eat them – they will mostly store in the fridge for a few days, but are much better cooked fresh.
