How to plant brassicas
Find out how to plant-out brassicas including sprouting broccoli and cauliflower, in our How-to guide.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At its best | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| To do | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Brassicas form the mainstay of the vegetable plot all year round in the form of summer and winter cabbage, cauliflower, sprouting broccoli, calabrese and Brussels sprouts. Whether you've raised your own brassicas from seed or opted for ready-grown seedlings, spring and early summer is the time to plant them out.
You Will Need
- Young brassica plants
- Soft string or twine
- Hand fork or trowel
- Seed trays or modules
Total time: 20 minutes
Step 1
Harden off greenhouse-raised plants by standing them in a sheltered spot outdoors for a week before planting. Before putting into the ground, make sure the compost around the seedling is moist by standing pots in trays of water for an hour. This will help roots establish quickly.
Step 2
Use a length of bamboo to keep rows straight when planting. Take out a hole large enough to accommodate the roots of the young plants, using a trowel. Depending on variety, aim to plant at 30cm - 45cm spacings.
Step 3
Knock the plant from its pot and set in the planting hole so that the top of the rootball is level with the surrounding soil. Use the trowel to fill in around the roots with soil. Firm around roots with your fingers and water well.
Step 4
Label the plant or row, then remove line. Water well while plants establish, and cover with fleece or fine netting to keep off cabbage white butterflies and birds.
Step 5
If slugs and snails are a problem, place a thick layer of eggshells around each plant to protect it until it becomes established.
Christmas offer
Gift a subscription to BBC Gardeners' World magazine and save 51% on the shop price.
Year Planner 2025 on sale
Starting to plan your gardening year? The Year Planner 2025 is packed with expert advice from the Gardeners’ World team, to ensure you have your best gardening year yet.
New podcast series
Join Monty and the team for advice on winter gardening, tulips, caring for birds, house plants and more in the new BBC Gardeners' World Magazine podcast series.
