Sow under cloches or fleece or in a coldframe, thinly 13mm (0.5in) deep in a seed bed in rows 15cm (6in) apart from early-March to early-April, using early and late cultivars. Sow early for the best crops. Thin seedlings to 7.5cm (3in) apart. Raise plants in pots where clubroot is a problem.
For early crop sow under glass in small pots or cell trays in February, for harvesting from August.
From mid May to early June, when the young plants are 10-15cm (4-6in) high and have seven true leaves, transplant to their growing positions, leaving 60cm (2ft) between plants and 75cm (2.5ft) between rows. Before planting, water plants well and water well again after transplanting.
Choose a sheltered, sunny site, protected from strong winds.
Any garden soil in full sun is suitable. Add up to two bucketfuls of well-rotted manure per square metre, and before planting or sowing add 150g per square metre of Growmore or other general purpose fertiliser.
Water every 10-14 days in periods of dry weather. Plants benefit from a top-dressing of high nitrogen fertiliser such as dried poultry manure pellets at 150g per square metre in July.
Mound soil around the base in September to support the plants.
Early varieties can be harvested from August. Start from the lowest sprouts, when they are tightly closed, firm and the size of a walnut. Snap them off with a sharp downward tug. The flavour is improved once the sprouts have been frosted. At the end of the season the sprout tops can be harvested and eaten.
Grow early, mid and late season varieties where space allows, or concentrate on mid to late varieties when other vegetables are scarce.
‘Abacus’ AGM: Early to mid season. Good crop of dark green, solid, round sprouts.
‘Maximus’ AGM: Early to mid season. Uniform plants with mid to dark green, smooth, dense sprouts.
‘Diablo’ AGM: Mid to late season. Vigorous and tolerant of poor soils; smooth, round mid to dark green sprouts.
‘Bosworth’ AGM: Late. Oval sprouts which are dark green, solid and closely spaced, so easy to pick. Stands well and retains quality until February.
‘Revenge’ AGM: Very Late. Vigorous and tolerant of poor soils, with high yields of nutty flavoured sprouts; it stands well. Well spaced, easy to pick sprouts. Stands well and retains quality until February or later.
'Chronos': New, club-root resistant, mid-season, good crop of well-formed tasty sprouts.
Club root: Roots become swollen and distorted, leaves become pale and yellow and wilt easily. Plants may die.
Remedy: Raise plants in pots of soil-less potting media, Improve drainage, lime to make it more alkaline, remove and burn all infected plants immediately, avoid moving soil around on your boots and tools. Grow your own plants or buy from a reputable source. Grow resistant varieties. Do not grow cabbages in affected soil.
Read more information about club root
Birds and cabbage white caterpillars: These eat the leaves.
Remedy: cover them with netting or fleece. Treat caterpillars with insecticide.
Read more information about cabbage caterpillars
Cabbage root fly: Flies lay eggs at base of plants in two or three generations from April. Larvae tunnel and destroy roots and later sprouts.
Remedy: raise transplants under fleece or insect proof mesh. Apply cabbage collars of felt or similar material at transplanting. Water, feed and earth-up damaged plants.
Read more information about cabbage root fly