Brassica
(Brassicaceae, Cabbage, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower, Kale, Swede, Turnip, Radish, Rocket)Typically Cabbage, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower, Kohl rabi, Kale, Swede, Turnip, Radish and Rocket known as the Cabbage or
Brassica family.
They usually follow on from
legumes, (even an overwintered green
manure legume crop) as they benefit from all the nitrogen that has been fixed. They like firm
soil, so dig over in autumn well before planting out, but make sure the legume
roots stay in the
soil.
Traditionally you grow your (winter and spring harvest) brassicas in a
seed bed, away from the main patch, transplanting small plants to the main plot as areas become free from the quick crops like radish and rocket, and your summer cabbages and calabrese as you harvest.
Brassicas are susceptible to club root which likes an acid
soil, so a more alkaline
soil will stop this, and that’s why some gardeners add lime.
Organic gardeners don’t usually! Always keep the
brassica bed tidy by clearing up old leaves. Netting will stop caterpillars but mealy aphids settle in nicely.
Removing diseased and damaged leaves stops nasties spreading and prevents them
overwintering. It also gives you a chance to regularly check the crop, firming up
soil that has loosened.