Cabbage Family
Pests are pretty much welcome to chew the outer leaves
Snip off the lower leaves.
Plant directs more energy to the Brussels sprouting
Small Slug & Pal in the Savoy
Compost-ready
Varieties We Grow
Ah, the stinky cabbage family, scientifically known as the genus Brassica in the family Brassicaceae. Ya either love 'em or hate 'em. We love them (mostly).
But we've lost patience with cauliflower: it takes up too much space and the heads tend, under our sporadic care, to look mutated, dirty and warty. Brussels Sprouts: Roodnerf (100 days) are another matter. BSs may be the stinkiest of them all, but their productivity, good taste and perfect timing to be ready for Thanksgiving & Christmas commend them to our Love List. Broccoli is on the list, too: Calabrese (60 days) & Rosalind (90 days); as are Red & Green Cabbage: Super Red (80 days) & Danish Ballhead (120 days).
Getting Started
We grow all our cabbage patch plants from seed, starting them in small containers in our unheated greenhouse at the beginning of February. If you don't have a greenhouse, start your seedlings indoors and put them on a sunny windowsill.
Don't start Brussels Sprouts seeds until the the end of May/beginning of June.
Cabbage, Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts seeds should be sown about 1cm (1/2 inch) deep in a half and half mixture of potting soil and compost. Sow 2-3 seeds per container and thin to the 1 most vigorous when the plants are about 8cm (3 inches) tall. Keep the planted seeds and seedlings moist and try not to let them dry out.
Transplanting Seedlings to the Garden
We set our Cabbage and Broccoli seedlings out to harden off for 2-3 days near the middle of April & plant them in the garden in full sun around the third week in April. Set the plants in well-composted soil, a little deeper than they were in their original containers. We shield (that is, attempt to shield) each tender seedling from slugs and cutworms with a plastic collar (a plastic pot with the bottom cut out), gently pushed down about 2 inches into the soil around each plant. You can also protect your seedlings against flying insect pests by adding a floating row cover.
Space the seedlings about 45-60 cm (18-24 inches) apart.
Transplant your Brussels Sprouts seedlings into the garden around mid-August. By this time, they'll have about 8 true leaves. According to West Coast Seeds (our seed-provider of choice), Brussels Sprouts need 45-60 days in the ground before the first frost. Protect your Brussels Sprouts seedlings in the same way you protected your Cabbage & Broccoli ones.
Plant French or African Marigolds in your Cabbage family patch to deter insect pests and plant Nasturtiums near the patch to attract aphids away from your Cabbage family seedlings
Caring for Your Growing Plants
Weed and water your cabbage patch plants consistently. Water the roots deeply once per week. Cultivate gently & consistently around the roots of your plants so the soil stays loose. Mulch Cabbage, Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts plants to conserve moisture and to moderate soil temperature during hot spells. Side-dress with compost twice during the growing season.
Snip off the lower leaves of the Brussels Sprouts plants when the plants are about 45 cm (18 inches) tall. The plant then directs more of its energy into sprout growth.
Place boards around your cabbage patch plants to trap slugs. See our article for boarding technique.
Harvesting
Broccoli. Cut off the heads when the flower buds are green & tightly closed, just below where the stem begins to form a branch. Side shoots that later form there will produce more Broccoli heads. As long as you keep harvesting and as long as it doesn't get too hot or freeze, your Broccoli will keep producing right into the fall.
Cabbage. Slice off the heads when they're firm.
Brussels Sprouts. When the heads are firm, twist them off, working from the bottom of the stalk up. If you wait until after frost ices the plants, the sprouts will be nice & sweet.
Companion Plants for Brassicas
Dill and other aromatic herbs, French & African Marigolds, onions.
