Overwinter cabbages bolting

[kitty12345]

Not been to the allotment for two weeks and today was the first day back. Was surprised to see my red drumhead cabbages and spring cabbages bolting - they were not successes at any rate as they had failed to grow a nice large head but they've now grown tall as well.

Does anyone know the reason for this? Did they just get fed up. Think it may be time to clear the ground and put the plants in the heap...

[Thelma Sanders]

The Red Drumheads usually heart up and get used around xmas time, left any longer and they will just run to seed. When did you plant them, if they didn't grow in time?
The spring cabbage probably just got spoiled by the very warm/dry weather in Feb
More stuff to fill the compost heap with now, then!

[nickdub]

any brassica will bolt if left long enough in the ground - its the natural start of the seed setting stage - however if they do it before they normally would, as in your Spring cabbage, it almost always indicates that they went through a drought which started the problem.

[Chippy Minton]

Pretty much all the winter brassicas went on the heap today, except the PSB and the kale (which is sprouting nicely - yum, better than the leaves )

[kitty12345]

Thanks everyone. I put the plants in the ground in September, as due to the dry summer last year it was not possible to clear new space from perennial weeds.

I'll try earlier this year. Surprised at the drought though, it is clay soil so keeps the moisture. Oh well. New lessons learnt

[kitty12345]

Oh and agree abt sprouting kale, my allotment neighbour told me! Leaving four for seed and four are in the fridge...

[Thelma Sanders]

Thanks everyone. I put the plants in the ground in September, as due to the dry summer last year it was not possible to clear new space from perennial weeds.

I'll try earlier this year. Surprised at the drought though, it is clay soil so keeps the moisture. Oh well. New lessons learnt

So a bit late for them to make heads in time, then, at least you know what went wrong. Good luck with them this year.

[Mudsweatandtea]

Mine have done this too, I put it down to the flik flakking weather conditions and temps. Just plan to use any salvageable stuff off them and compost the rest ��

[mcdood]

Yep mine going to seed too.

[veggiechicken]

Eat the bolting/sprouting bits as you would with sprouting broccoli.

[Vince G]

Got a similar issue: planted brassica seedling out about the start of September, the caulis and romanesco have formed heads of sorts, but they're very loose heads and as such are ready made florets but that's not the idea, should be a nice tight head.

[Thelma Sanders]

Romanesco is usually an autumn veg, sown March/April/May and harvested Sept-Dec, depending on variety - so maybe yours were planted out too late, as well.

[Penellype]

My winter brassicas are bolting too - not unexpected. In the last couple of weeks I've pulled out the cabbage, swedes, turnips and kohl rabi. The kale and self seeded mizuna are also shooting up and will be removed soon.

[Mark_Riga]

Had a curry tonight and put in it a good handful of cabbage sprouts (I think) that were remarkably clear of pests.