New plants for a new season
The seasons are changing, the days are getting shorter and there’s a lovely autumnal crispness in the air. We have the ideal plant mix for the new season. Our winter brassica mix contains a purple sprouting broccoli, a savoy cabbage and a calvoro nero (a variety of kale). Delicious!
Winter brassicas are very hardy and are some of the easiest vegetables to grow. Here are some growing tips to help you care for your plants:
Sprouting Broccoli
- Once your plant reaches 10cm tall it can be transplanted into your garden at any time from mid to late summer. Plant it so that the bottom leaves touch the soil and firm well.
- Broccoli is a hardy plant and is not too fussy about the site or soil. It prefers full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. You should avoid low lying areas which may become water-logged (this is especially important for broccoli varieties which will stay in the ground over winter).
- Keep the broccoli well watered, especially while the heads are growing. A layer of compost around the plant (but not touching it) will conserve water, prevent weeds and deter insects.
- Your broccoli will be ready to harvest between December and April. Cut the heads off about half way down the stalk when they are 10-20cm long before the flowers open. Start with the central spear to encourage branching. Pick both Broccoli regularly to ensure the heads are at their tastiest and to encourage the formation of side-shoots.
Savoy Cabbage
- This extremely hardy member of the brassica family can withstand the coldest and dampest winters, requires minimal attention and is one of the easiest crops to grow.
- Transplant your plant in mid to late summer into fertilised soil in a well drained site.
- Cabbages require minimal care, but make sure they’re well watered during hot, dry weather and apply a layer of compost around the plant for the same reasons as above. Cabbages are greedy feeders and require plenty of fertiliser during the growing period. As the plants mature some of the leaves may turn yellow. Break off these discoloured leaves as soon as they appear.
- Your cabbage is ready to be harvested when its heart of compact leaves is firm (between late October and February). Once the heart is firm lift the entire plant with a fork and cut the roots off, or cut the stem just above the base of the lower leaves and discard the outer leaves, which are too coarse for eating. Mature cabbages with a good firm heart can be stored in slatted shelves in a dry shed for several weeks.
Calvoro Nero
- Once your plant reaches 10cm tall it can be transplanted into your garden at any time from mid to late summer. Plant it so that the bottom leaves touch the soil and firm well.
- Calvoro nero will grow in almost all conditions, but for the ultimate crop grow in soil that was enriched with compost or manure the previous season. Full sun is best but they will grow well in part shade.
- Calvoro nero requires almost no care because it is one of the strongest and most disease resistant of all vegetables. Remove yellowing leaves which will appear round the base of plant. Keep the weeds under control with regular hoeing.
- Your calvoro nero will be ready to harvest between November and March. Harvest the young leaves only, which will be at the top of the plant, when they are about 10cm long (the older leaves are bitter when cooked). Regular harvesting will stimulate the plant to produce more young tender leaves. Harvest only when you need it because it does not keep well, even in the fridge. Snap off the fleshy side-shoots from February.
Our Winter Brassica plant mix will be available in the shop from this Wednesday 19 September for £1.99!
Very useful post. Thanks