[Oliver]

The trouble with a lot of rain is that it only tickles the top couple of mm of soil, unless it's persistent and lasts a while.

If the soil is moist a couple of inches down, it's ok.  If not, watering of young plants in particular is advised.

Sarah Raven - the 'gardening guru' says a good soaking twice a week is better than a trickle every day - so don't just water so the ground goes a different colour, give it a good few cans full, but let each watering soak in well ... :blink: if you are not sure, scratch the soil and see how far down the water has penetrated.  Oliver (who watches from his roof and lets his humans do all the work!)

[Yorkie]

Quite agree, only you put it much better 

[blackbob]

once established topdress with fish blood and bone,and earth the stems up with a draw hoe.it will give that bit more anchorage to the plant.

[Oliver]

Quite agree, only you put it much better 

Thank you Yorkie1!
It takes them 2 hours to water their plot throughly, and by the end of the Summer their arms reach the ground
Oliver

[gobs]

Plants bolt from any stress really, one very common thing, especially with second year flowerers is something one can do nought about: a rather cold spell followed by a rather warm one.

May I note though, you have picked on 2 of the fussiest vegies to grow. 

Try over-wintering caulis, a bit more forgiving.

[gerpsych]

This has been a very useful post. Last year I had the same problems with cauliflowers and beetroots  (They were boltardy). I think it was a dry spell while we were on holiday. I'll be out with the can regularly this time. Never expected to have to do this in the wet west coast of Scotland