[dig4victory]

Our kale never really grew very tall or lush, it looks more like a dwarf kale even though it isn't.....and my savoy cabbages only grew two hearts between the lot of them - any advice on these conundrums will be appreciated.

Thanks

[strangerachael]

When you planted your cabbages did you firm them in really well? If they are too loose they don't heart up very well. They like to be packed in really hard. I'm not sure about the kale as I have not grown it ...yet!

[DD.]

Have you looked for club root?

[Salmo]

When did you plant them out? Winter cabbages need quite a long growing season.

[viettaclark]

I planted my seedlings in September and the Savoy and Tundra cabbages are just starting to heart but we've had greens already off the stalks. My kale hasn't done anything since I took the tops out of the 4' plants in November hoping they'd branch. Doh! Probably wrong type.....

[realfood]

Dig for Victory, you do not say where you are in the UK. In Glasgow, I would plant out in June to get good growth before the Winter.

[8doubles]

That would make a great book title, start a garden diary.

[dig4victory]

When you planted your cabbages did you firm them in really well? If they are too loose they don't heart up very well. They like to be packed in really hard. I'm not sure about the kale as I have not grown it ...yet!

This may have been part of the problem - i notice that I didn't plant the cabbages right up to the first leaves when I transplanted them.  I'll make a note about packing them in hard next time, thanks.

The kale got a bit of cabbage white caterpiller on them which I mostly managed to hand remove (!), maybe there was some damage done by them which stunted growth...  This is my challenge for this year, to protect with proper mesh so no whiteys can get near the brassicas.  They are determined little darlings and manage to squeeze through any little gap.

..and I'll check on the clubroot too.

Thanks all.

I am in Hertfordshire.