[Brassica Blaz]

hi everyone,  i'm having a go at some spring cabbagge this year, wondered if any one who has had good success with it could give me a few tips as to when to start sowing, i think its supposed to be the last week in july early august ,is this what you do? also any reliable variety would be helpful .thanks.

[DD.]

Your time is about right!

I grow Durham Early, but there are many excellent varieties around.

My method is to start them off in modules, one seed to a cell, (or two if the seeds cheap enough & then thin to the strongest).

Grow on until they have the first true leaf, then pot into 3" pots, transplanting to final position when about 6" high.

They do not need any extra heat, outside is sufficient & electric propagators are a no-no!

[Brassica Blaz]

thanks DD, i would just like to ask you as an experienced garderner.i know you have to apply adequate lime for brassicas,but does this apply for every year? or does one application last for a number of years?

[noshed]

Depends on your soil really. Mine is fairly alkaline so I never bother with lime. Just a bit of fish, blood and bone.

[DD.]

I just threw a hand full in each hole at planting time this year and got some crackers!

[KT]

Oh sort of on topic !

I've bought

Advantage f1 hybrid - Sow june-july
April  - sow july-aug
Durham Early - sow july - aug

All say sow around july so if i was to sow them all in moduals now. When would i been looking at needing free ground to plant them in? Right now my beds are all full but i expect them to start freeing up in a short while.

Also they all say they can be harvested as spring greens, if i plant some with the intention of letting grow fully and some for greens can i plant the greens closer together??  or am i best just planting them all quite close then "thining" out the greens leaving the remaining to grow into full sized?

[DD.]

I'd reckon to be planting sometime September.

It's common practice to plant close together and then use the thinnings as spring greens, leaving the other plants to mature.