How should I keep brassicas in tip-top condition?

AThe majority of the vegetable garden starts to close down during the winter, but brassicas including cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts and broccoli become some of the main providers and stalwarts through the winter period. The autumn and early winter can be ideal for rot and botrytis as the conditions are damp, with warmth during the day, which can lead to the deterioration of some veg plants. To combat this, we need to provide a good amount of air circulation between the plants and leaves and remove any damage or rotting foliage.

October is a perfect time to start harvesting your cabbages. Rather than starting at the beginning of your row, harvest sporadically throughout the crops, say every other, to increase the air movement between the remaining plants. It is possible to cut a cabbage a few centimetres from the base, leaving a stalk which will then shoot and provide baby cabbages later in the year. While we’re harvesting the odd cabbage, take time to remove any damaged or yellow leaves and any weeds; this will deter rot, slugs and snails. The risk of cabbage white caterpillars is greatly reduced at the start of the winter, so any butterfly netting can be removed to allow lots of light in. A net with larger holes will deter pigeons while allowing more sunlight and air in.

When it comes to kale plants, remove yellowing leaves and keep grazing your plants to allow lots of air circulation around them, harvesting the leaves before they become too big and tough. Kale is one of those plants where a graz

ing style provides much tastier leaves and encourages the plant to keep producing, while keeping it in the best of health. The growing tip is the most important part of kale plants so we need to avoid cutting it off to keep those leaves coming.

Brussels sprouts are another tall brassica whose leaves deteriorate towards the base. As the autumn sets in, keep

removing yellow leaves to allow light and air into the developing sprouts. With sprouts, kale and broccoli we need to be mindful of the stronger winds at this time of year. Most brassicas need support. I suspect that most of your taller ones will have some sort of staking already, but make sure that those stakes are firmly in the ground and the plants are well tied to the stake to prevent root rock.