Crop Rotation Group
Brassicas (Cabbage family)
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Soil
Rich, deep soil, firm with plenty of well rotted compost dug in.
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Position
Full sun
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Frost tolerant
Yes
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Feeding
Not required if good soil.
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Companions
-
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Spacing
Single Plants: 75cm (2' 5") each way (minimum)
Rows: 60cm (1' 11") with 90cm (2' 11") row gap (minimum)
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Sow and Plant
Sow late summer to move to final positions in autumn to be over-wintered and ready for spring.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
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Notes
Try growing different varieties from seed to explore differences in leaf colour and type. Most early-maturing cabbage varieties produce smallish heads.
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Harvesting
Harvest early plants or leave to mature to a firm 'heart' until early summer. Small secondary heads often grow from the base of early cabbage plants after the primary head is cut.
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Troubleshooting
Surround stem with a 10cm (4 inch) mat with a slit cut into it for the stem to prevent cabbage root fly from destroying the roots. Use fine mesh or fleece over the summer to prevent butterflies laying eggs on the underside of leaves - caterpillars can destroy these plants.
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