[muntjac]

Just to throw in another complication (I'm also first time cabbage grower) - I was told that if you plant them tighter the cabbages are smaller.  I prefer small cabbages so planted them at around 1ft too.  Was I misguided???

 yes they will just grow taller . planting them 18 inch apart gives best results i have found

[gobs]

I have the same problem with my red cabbages, the earlier cabbages were all brilliant, the later planting, however, never did anything. I haven't been down for a week, so I just hope for the watched kettle scenario...

Why do you leave bigger spacings for the red cabbages than the large green ones WG, please?

Hasn't January King got some pinkish -purple colour markings?

[sweet nasturtium]

Thanks, that makes sense.

[muntjac]

i leave 18 for all cabbages ,2 ft for brussels and brocoli

[WG.]

Why do you leave bigger spacings for the red cabbages than the large green ones WG, please?

I grew some Marner Large Red some years ago and was cutting heads averaging 4.5 - 5kgs each. Since red cabbage take so long to mature, I still leave them at that spacing and crop cauliflower in between each red cabbage.  I should clarify that I allow about 18" between adjacent rows and stagger the planting to give, in effect, diagonals like this (R for red, c for cauli)

R c R c R c R c R c R c R c R
c R c R c R c R c R c R c R c
R c R c R c R c R c R c R c R

Hasn't January King got some pinkish -purple colour markings?

Yes, certainly when mature.  Not sure at this time of year

[gobs]

Thanks, do you play chess?

[noshed]

Knight to queens cabbage...
My PSB is too close together - I'm thinking of transplanting a few.

[WG.]

Okay okay gobs/noshed!  Last time I spend any time producing helpful diagrams!!    

[gobs]

Oh, please don't stop, they are brilliant!
I've been wondering if you had them ready made or you produced them on the spare of the moment?
Ins. Man. If you wish to impress, chose the second option.
Otherwise, please chose escape.

[WG.]

  I'll leave you guessing  

[noshed]

Nobody appreciates a pioneer

[waddecar]

The National Vegetable research station did a lot of work on plant spacing the results were published (along with other research) in 2 volumes entitled Know and Grow vegetables by P J Salter and others. Its no longer in print but you can get 2nd hand copies via Amazon and similar.

They reported that at spacings of 14"x14"  summer cabbages will produce small hearts but that the hearting will be delayed.

If lettuces, cabbages or sprouts are planted too close together hearting is impaired  (buttons in the case of sprouts). Differences are bound to be noted in different varieties.

[mushroom]

i leave 18 for all cabbages ,2 ft for brussels and brocoli

well, that's me lernd :oops: my psb is 18 inches apart and they're growing like triffids. I hope crowding wont stop em sprouting. at least ive lernd meself for next year. need a bigger plot, running out of room!

[muntjac]

i leave 18 for all cabbages ,2 ft for brussels and brocoli

well, that's me lernd :oops: my psb is 18 inches apart and they're growing like triffids. I hope crowding wont stop em sprouting. at least ive lernd meself for next year. need a bigger plot, running out of room!

 u should be ok mushroom ,, i just have tonnes of space and can afford it . 18 inch is fine