[PennyS]

Hello,
This might be a stupid question, but ...  (I've never done much brassica growing before).

Because I'm still digging my brassica bed (new allotment from grass) I've sown brassicas (cabbages of various varieties, caulis, PSB etc) into pots at home and I'll transplant them into the brassica bed in a few weeks' time.

I gather that I could plant these things direct into a seed bed this time of year.  If they're in pots instead, do they need to be kept sheltered (I have a plastic greenhouse) all the time/just at night/never or are they OK in a sheltered corner of my patio?

Thank you!

[Pompey Spud]

I've just potted on my seedlings.

I hardened them off gradually in the coldframe and now they're outside all the time while I wait for about 4/6 true leaves.

They prefer cooler temps but I'm a wee bit further south than you so I'd just check nightime temps.

[gillie]

I would put them in a sheltered corner and keep them watered until you are ready for them.

You do not mention calabrese but they hate root disturbance so this is actually the best way of growing them.  The others could be be sown in a seed bed, but will do perfectly well, perhaps even better, grown in pots particularly if you only want a few.

Gillie

[PennyS]

Thank you Pompey and Gillie, that is veyr helpful.
I have got Calabrese too, so that's good news!
Penny

[Kristen]

I'm no expert, but I think the general consensus is that Brassicas are hardy and do NOT benefit from being molly-coddled and kept warm. So once they have their first true leaves put them out during the day. Being in a small pot their feet will get much colder at night than if they were in the soil, so bringing them in for the night (or putting them in a cold frame etc. that can be closed) will be good, but don't leave them in a hot greenhouse during the day.

Brassicas generally need to go into very firm ground, so if you are spring-digging make sure you stamp it down well before planting (seems daft, I know, but that;s what they like!)