How to grow... Brassicas

Rocket Growing Guides

Spring Green Cabbage

Brassicas tend to be very nutritious vegetables and they are nice and easy to grow in the garden. It’s a big category, with calabrese, broccoli, cabbage and kale and there are others too. They can all be looked after in much the same way.

  • Planting Tips
  • Growing advice
  • Chef's Corner

The right site

Brassicas prefer a sunny site with deep, firm, moisture retentive soil.

Can be grown in....

Brassicas are best grown in raised beds or a well dug veg patch.

How far apart?

About 30cm apart is a good general rule for growing brassicas. Broccoli can get surprisingly big, so it’s worth giving them a little extra space, 50cm will do the trick.

Looking after your plants....

Brassicas are fairly hassle free. Follow these tips and you’ll do just fine.


broccoli

Give them a collar

When you plant your brassicas, it’s a good idea to put a 10cm diameter covering around the base. Some old carpet or a bit of cardboard. This is known as a brassica collar and keeps your veg protected from cabbage root fly.

broccoli

Feed them

Make sure plants don’t dry out – regular watering is important during dry spells. Use a liquid feed once they’ve started to grow a little, as they need a little extra nitrogen.

broccoli

Protect them

Keep weeds down and cover with a mesh netting to keep butterflies (Cabbage Whites love brassicas) and birds away (pigeons are the worst culprit).

Storage Tips

Harvest them as you want to eat them – they will mostly store in the fridge for a few days, but are much better cooked fresh.

Ways to cook

Brassicas are good simply steamed and served with a little butter or olive oil. They are also great for stir frying with a pinch of freshly chopped chilli and ginger. Cauliflower works well in curries too.