Kitchen Garden Forum

I don't always seem to be able to grow any brassica's to a good size, small headed cabbage and cauli's that dont always form curds, and I have never grown large swede in any quantity. I am on clay which has been well cultivated and manured over the years, but I have really pumped in lots of manure in the last couple of years.

I know that some people spread lime on their brassica patches, should I consider this and should I also do a PH Test. If so what PH am I looking at (good website anyone?)And is lime the only way of reducing acidity if that is what I need to do?

CoMpO

Hello Compo
Your clay soil is good for growing brassicas and, as lots of organic matter has been added to it, it sounds as though it is in excellent condition.
I would suggest a couple of things.
Timing is important when sowing and growing brassicas particularly cauliflowers. Most need a good growing period before they mature and start to heart up properly or form heads as in the case of caulis. So follow the instructions on the packet about sowing and growing months fairly closely.
Also they are greedy plants so need plenty of feeding. Nitrochalk is particularly good as it provides calcium and has a high nitrogen content. It is not always easy to obtain though. An alternative is calcium nitrate which usually just labelled as 'calcium' on the packet. Both of these are good as they provide calcium and nitrogen safely together.
If you prefer organic stuff then it would be lime (ground limestone) and dried blood or chicken manure pellets. These should not be applied at the same time though. Lime early in the season and then add your nitrogen fertilizer at planting out or as growth starts.

Hope this is of some help.

John

PS Brassicas need a lot of support as they grow into large heavy plants so do best when they are planted deeply and firmly. I plant mine deeply in a depression then backfill this as they develop to give lots of support in the ground.

Hi Compo,
I came across this website when searching for something entirely different but thought this might help you in you quest for improved Brassicas.

http://www.allotment.org.uk/fertilizer/index.php

JB.

Thanks everyone, is it still worth me checking the Ph of the soil or does it not actually mean a lot?

CoMpO

Hi Compo,
It is always worth knowing the pH of your soil irrespective of the growing of Brassicas.
JB.