Broccoli kale and cabbage questions
Stephanie newish gardener
Posts: 516
Hi, this is the first year I have grown broccoli (correctly per AT it is calabrese but the packet said broccoli tho the pic was one dense head) and red cabbage but I have grown a few kale plants the last two years. I have some questions if you would be so kind
The broccoli seems to be starting to bolt and having searched the forum I will cut off the shoots and hope for better from the side shoots - correct me if I'm wrong here please
In previous years I have picked kale leaves when they have been about the size they are now, but the pic on the packet showed a much bigger plant. Should I wait a bit before picking any?
The red cabbage don't seem to be forming hearts, though to be fair these were a garden centre bargain at 99p for the tray of 14, planted quite late (or early) so am I hoping for too much just yet?
And yes, slugs are an issue....as is the moss which I must tackle now it has finally stopped raining, and I think some feed would help those yellow leaves - I used miracle grow as it had the highest nitrogen content of all the feed I have, but would it help to sprinkle chicken manure pellets round the plants?
Last edited: 17 September 2017 12:27:27
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The main reason for bolting and lack of growth is restricted root growth causing lack of water uptake because of leaving the plants in pots which should have been removed before planting.
I'm not sure those are pots, looks like something just laying on the soil Around the stalks.
Bob, those are just collars set only a centimetre or so into the ground in an effort to stop slugs. They all have copper tape round them. It seems to work for the cabbage but not so well for the broccoli
They were probably all in pots for a bit longer than ideal, tho the kale seems happy enough for that
A feed of nettle tea might help the kale leaves, they just need to grow fast to be tender. I pick mine when smallish too. I have no idea what Monty feed his on, they look huge compared to mine. My broccoli that I was expecting to form heads in Spring went mad and heads suddenly appeared last week. I cut them all of and ate them (yum) . Side shoots are starting to form now. I expect they will slow down as the weather gets colder. I blame the weather.
The moss indicates that the soil may well be compacted and acidic and possibly shady and damp too. This may well be why your plants could be making better growth.
I would hoe around your plants with a Dutch hoe regularly, just into the top inch of soil. This will lessen the compaction and allow air into the soil.
In future seasons I would dig in lots of organic material; composted manure, garden compost etc to improve the structure of the soil.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Dove, the soil is all of those things, though I never anticipated planting anything there as we were just going to dig it over and seed it. But then I picked up the bargain cabbages and AT says they need firm ground.....so that's where they went
They get the morning sun until about 2pm ish, tho there has been precious little sun lately, in fact we were inches away from another flood on wed
I worked on the basis that if I got two cabbages out of the exercise then I was in pocket!
I've just been contemplating what not to do next year because it has all felt a bit much this year and I don't feel I've been able to give things the time they need. I can either have shrubs and flowers and a bit more lawn, or I can have veg and a growing wilderness.
My master plan is to get an exit package from work and then I will have the time to do it all justice!
Sorry Stephanie, I should have looked closer!
I agree with what Dove said above and would try and incorporate as much organic matter as possible, preferably well-rotted manure, which should help open up the soil and reduce the chances of moss developing again. Brassicas love feed high in nitrogen so a regular watering with nettle feed throughout the growing season will really help next year (or use growmore if you don't mind being non-organic.) If you test the pH of your soil and find it is acidic then it would be worth applying garden lime over the winter on those beds you will be growing brassicas in next year.
This pic gives a better view of the ground as I have pulled back the netting, which I assume is now redundant as it's a bit late for butterflies to lay eggs??
I guess also that it will allow more air and sun too
How does this look? Have dug out the weeds, loosened most of the surface, sprinkled some sand on to try to help dry off the surface and applied a slow release fertiliser and now have fingers crossed!
We don't get too many pigeons here, more pheasants than anything, but will keep an eye out and leave the netting ready just in case!
Time to do some very late pruning of a mental dog rose now