SPRING CABBAGE
Sow: July to September
Plant: August to November
Harvest: February to May
January: Give overwintered plants a liquid feed.
February: New soft growth will start as soon as temperatures rise. Watch out for slugs hidden between leaves. Harvest first plants while small, if you have grown plenty.
March: July-sown plants will be ready to harvest. Use them over the next few weeks.
April: August-sown plants will be ready to harvest.
May: September-sown plants will be ready to harvest.
July: Make the first sowing. Sow in pots or trays and cover with compost. If temperatures are too high in the polytunnel, find a cooler place. Germination should take 5–7 days.
August: Prick seedlings out into deep tubs or larger pots if there is no space free in which to plant out. Plants should go into the border soil when 15cm/6in tall. They can follow on from a previously manured crop. Allow 45cm/18in between plants. Add lime if soil is acid.
Make a second sowing for later spring greens.
September: Make a last sowing in early September. Keep planting out earlier sowings. Watch out for caterpillars, which can destroy young plants.
October: Spread the contents of the cucumber hotbed around growing cabbages. Watch out for signs of clubroot disease if buying in plants.
November: Young plants will be established. They need little attention other than the occasional watering if the soil dries out.
December: As for November.
SPRING CABBAGE TROUBLES
Slugs: January to May and August to December
Aphids: January to December
Grey mould: January to April and September to December
Caterpillars: August to September
Damping off: July to September