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Brassicas
biofreak
Posts: 1,089
in Fruit & veg
I always transplant my brassicas up to first leaf, neighbouring gardener says earth them up regularly especially cabbages to encourage hearting. Ideas please.
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I also plant mine deep so they don't rock. The best way I've found to encourage hearting up is to plant closer than the recommended distances. I put mine in at a Wolf trowel's length apart which means I get smaller cabbages but there are only 3 of us so that's fine. It works well too for my broccoli and PSB and kale and cavolo nero and, this year, for my kohlrabi which is so much juicier and tastier than shop bought specimens.
if you don't earth up the plant ,it will wave in the wind, this especialy applys to brussels sprouts
Yes I have planted mine out in Squares so not only is there no need to stake as they help each other but I can plant tagetes around edge to distract slugs and tansy to act as a deterrent to cabbage white butterflies because it smells evil when you rub it between your hands. Tall Poppies seem to have distracted the butterflies at present, but of course they won't last long - Very pretty though.
I will definitely earth my cabbages up this year because no matter how deep I plant them the stalks always grow long and the heads fall over.
I planted my brussels too close together last year and they had some mould on them due to lack of airflow this winter I will be removing some of the leaves to allow the air to circulate.
when can i plant brussel sprouts?am new to this and would like some help please.thank you.
I've just planted mine but I usually plant them earlier than this although as I don't want to start picking them until Christmas it shouldn't be too late now.
Glad I did earth up the 'Greyhound' cabbages as it seems to have encouraged them to start hearting up. Found first caterpillar eggs (little gold ones?) this morning after only being away 3 days! Have prepared a Tansy Brew and am going to rest some environmesh over the tops in hopes of protection.