Allotments 4 All

I have received a delivery of brassicas and have planned the area to plant them. The area was previously used by the former plot holder for sweetcorn. We have dug over and manured the area. What else do we need to keep in mind before and during planting please?

waldor i don't think brassicas like manure very much. someone will be along in a minute and tell you what to do. they're a great bunch here.

Can you lay your hands on some garden lime.  Scater it where you are planting.  They also like firm ground.  It may look funny but just walking up and down the row to make it firm works.

agree about the manure - which brassicas are you actually planting as some will tolerate it better than others - lime essential (I use calcified seaweed) - protect from birds if they are a nuisance in your area  :)

Thanks for the speedy replies so far. We are planting two types of spring cabbage, kale and calabrese from marshalls seeds.

imo I would say some manure ok for the kale but not the springs cabbages (other might say different) - depending on where you are located, if the winter gets bad it is always worth cloching the cabbages, you just get better results if they are nurtured a bit - blood fish and bone is also good for brassicas if it appeals to you

Here we go again..................

1. I would NOT use lime unless a test indicates the need.
2. I would NOT use fertiliser at this stage. If you must, then use Controlled Release.
3. I WOULD use slug pellets - protected as you see fit.

E&OE!

Many thanks everyone. Planting will be done Sunday whatever the weather. We are putting our old gazebo over the plot and putting fleece over the plants for starters with a view to netting up the sides of the gazebo eventually. Thanks Tim we will use slug pellets. We had thought of planting into weed suppresant membrane so we will put slug pellets on the ground before laying it.

might be worth explaining differences of approach  :)

some brassicas planted at this time of year, e.g. pak choy, mustards, oriental salads don't need much in the way of extra nutrients as they are 'feeding' off the nurture of the earlier year's preparations but brassicas that are going to be in the ground for a long time will need something at some point (they are annuals and it all depends on how intensive you grow) - nurturing the soil now is useful if the ground hasn't been touched in awhile or heavily used without much tlc, it gets them off to a good start but manure is too strong and it tends to 'blow' sprouts and prevents cabbages from heartening etc but the gentle application of an organic feed and they will always repay you - good luck

What would be considered a gentle organic feed please?

as I said, I always use calcified seaweed, usually comes in powder form but I think you can get granules and other forms that you make up into a liquid - hopefully other suggestions will come along and have a look see what other plot holders are using

I avoid slug pellets myself (sorry Tim! :(), just because it seems to attract more snails/slugs to the site.  Another option is the slug trap with a large jar sunk or three into the ground away from the plants and half filled with beer. You then have to empty it tho and I suggest you use really cheap beer.  :-X If you have the time and patience, pick n destroy is a good method with snails/slugs. Again, the destroying part I leave to my OH.  :P I am a wimp!
We usually surround brassicas with chicken wire and then put netting over that. The summer crop is fertilised, then the brassicas are put in afterwards, and left to get on with it over winter. Have had good results with this method. Make sure you leave a way to get to the weeds inside. Otherwise it's giant weeds and brassicas!

What about the question of planting brassicas after sweetcorn?

no problem that I can think of  :)

I got one of those packs again, worldor, just about to put them out tonight/tomorrow. Get them in and growing roots and feed in early spring.. trick is to stop the late season slugs taking them out while small and pigeons when the weather gets bad...
Cheap polypin beer is great, slops will do if you have a friendly local... and a great excuse for some late night pub visits....
::)

And just to add that you cannot 'officially' be organic if you use standard slug pellets.

true, but if you are only eating them, not selling them it isn't a problem... those new advanced Slug Pellets are allowed by Grow Organic but I prefer the Nematodes, Beer and Boot approach!
;D

Well they're in. We put up the gazebo frame, netted the sides, scattered the slug pellets, laid the membrane, planted through it and watered. How often do we need to water the plants now? Do we need to cover with the fleece?

I think they'll be happy for now without fleece. I never use it for the winter plants and they're usually quite happy. Watering twice a week is plenty, less if you're getting rain.