Growing Spring Cabbage (continued page 2)

Soil and Site for Spring Cabbage
Spring Cabbage need an open site which offers some protection against harsh winter winds. The site should be in a sunny position.

The soil should be light and well-drained. Nothing will damage them more than water-logged conditions in the cold winter. Don't add manure or nitrogen rich feeds to the soil. These simply encourage vulnerable green growth.

Sowing Spring Cabbage
Unlike most vegetables, spring cabbage are sown roughly at the same time in both the north and south of England. Generally late July to early August are the best dates. In colder areas, you can sow late July, in warmer areas sow early August but the difference is minimal.

Spring cabbage are ideal candidates for maturing earlier and more reliably under cloches. Click here to buy your poly-tunnel or cloche online from our recommended suppliers.

Care of Spring Cabbage
Thin out the seedlings when they are about 5cm (2in) high. Because spacing differs depending on the variety, read the instructions of the seed packet. As a rule of thumb, thin to 30cm (1ft) for spring greens and 45cm (18in) for spring cabbage.

Don't feed at all with a nitrogen rich fertiliser. If you do feed this will cause too much soft green growth which will suffer from disease in the winter months. When the seedlings emerge, feed with a long lasting fertiliser like bonemeal or blood, fish and bone.

As with all vegetables, keep them weed free. A hoe is good for this because at the same time it will disturb the soil surface which will deter soil pests and disease. In mid November earth-up along the row of cabbage to form a ridge about 5cm (2in) high. This will help to support the cabbages in the winter winds and at the same time it will assist in draining water away from the stem at soil level.