[hubballi]

I still have some cabbage (Prima/greyhound), Summer broccoli, cauliflower, curly Kale and sprouts growing in my raised bed after a bit of a slow start due to not planting out till end of summer from their pots.

The Kale has started to slow down in leaf production but still healthy. A couple of cauliflowers are developing. I Can't see any sprouts yet.

Can anyone offer advice on how to get the best out of what I have growing (feeding, frost protection, etc) so we have some greens through the winter as I haven't grown these veg before. Not sure when we are going to get flowers on the broccoli with it being a summer variety. Lastly, can the leaves be used from the broccoli/cauliflower ?

Thanks.

[sunshineband]

I can answer the bit about using leaves off caulis -- YES!!

They are quite strong flavoured but delicious and can be added to  cauliflower cheese, or stir fry for example 

[mumofstig]

If the broccoli was a summer variety it may not be hardy enough to last through the winter, but if it does stand it will head up as the weather warms up in spring. So if it's in the way of next years crops you may have to pull it out before you get a head so may be best to use as greens through winter

Depend on how cold winter is this year whether your cabbage carries on growing to make heads in the new year, or later for spring cabbage. Mine here are still growing so far.

[HilaryG]

The best bit of adcice I can offer is to net over your crops to keep the hungry pigeons off. My brassicas were ok until end Dec ish and then  the pigeons took to landing on my flimsy netting and pecking everything to oblivion, as well as pooing on it all

[Paul Plots]

The best bit of adcice I can offer is to net over your crops to keep the hungry pigeons off. My brassicas were ok until end Dec ish and then  the pigeons took to landing on my flimsy netting and pecking everything to oblivion, as well as pooing on it all

My Purple Sprouting is nearly 4'6"' tall again this year - I have to keep increasing the height of the netting to keep the pigeons from munching it. I am sure the little s**s are learning to settle down in flocks to weigh the netting down in order to get at it!