There is quite an art to growing great brassicas. Here are some tips from us:

Sow brassicas during the months of January, February, March (April/May in warm areas) and then August and September. This avoids loads of pest problems (like white butterflies) and trying to grow vegetables in a warm climate they are unsuited to.  Colder areas plant in Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, and Feb. If you have a white butterfly problem, I suggest you put  Cloche hoops over the bed and cover with microclima cloth (available in our shop) until its too cold for butterflies.

Sow a wide range of varieties so they ripen over a long period, 3-5 months for most cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. Collards and kale will extend that season, as will sprouting broccoli,   filling in gaps during that time.

Sow small amounts of seed in rows across your 3cm deep trays, and prick out as soon as they have second pair of leaves at 5cm centres into 7cm deep trays.  As soon as the leaves are touching they can be transplanted into the garden.

The garden soil they are being planted into must be free draining as they are a winter/early spring crop and will be adversely affected by water logged roots.

If you don’t have garden beds with high nutrient levels, the plants will need to be liquid fed before and after full moon with comfrey, fish, liquid cow manure etc.  Brassicas love lime as well as lots of nutrients. We always compost and dolomite our brassica beds before planting, and then liquid feed with cow manure tea.