Unlucky

[Florence Fennel]

I have never been very successful with brassicas from seed, so prefer to buy plants. Has anyone done a price comparison? I just wondered where to get the cheapest deal. Last year I had some from T & M, but as they are selling carrot plugs at £6.99 I am boycotting them(!) and Plants of Distinction that I have also used in the past is a tad on the dear side. Anyone please?

[shirlthegirl43]

Can't help with where to buy plants but wonder in what way you are unsuccessful with seeds? Maybe someone can help with that which will save you lots of money.

[Florence Fennel]

Can't work out why Shirl - everything else grows happily from seed, but I never seem to get a good strong plant from brassicas, perhaps I'm not trying hard enough!

[zazen999]

How are you growing them?

[Florence Fennel]

In trays, prick out into modules, plant out plugs, cloche with pop bottle, much the same as I do for everything else, but always their get up and go gets up and goes and they whither and die. Ah. It can't be the soil in the ground or the raised beds as when I buy plants they do brilliantly.

[zazen999]

Try:

Sow one seed per module, and leave in there until the roots are poking out the bottom.

Sow in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse, no heat needed from the off.

Once the root ball is showing, then plant out into final position and pop some manure/chicken pellets in the hole that they are put into. Stamp down the soil round them. Back fill to the level of the bed and put slug/pigeon protection measures in place [no cloches, they don't like it too warm]. I use organic slug pellets and a net slung over a hooped cane.

Then, leave them to it.

Grow them hard gal!!!

[shirlthegirl43]

Sounds like you are mollycoddling them too much - they don't appreciate it you know

[Florence Fennel]

Well I never. Treat em mean to keep em keen. I've been too tender with them. I'll give it a go, but I might just buy a few plants, you know, just in case .......

[Bigmallly]

Is this link any good Florence?

Search

[Alison]

ebay can be very good, the woman on the plot next to me got a load of spring cabbages off there last autumn. Can ask her which site if you are interested but agree that it's worth trying again yourself.

[Florence Fennel]

I'll do both Alison, thanks.

BM - I had a quick look on Plants Direct and they too sell carrot "plugs" 20 for £2.95! I hadn't realised so many places sell these things. I'm really going to give seed another try.

[zazen999]

Problem with brassica plugs is you can import clubroot and they really are so easy to grow [although I did lose a trayful last year by not protecting them.....but you live and learn].

[Florence Fennel]

Thanks Zaz. Is the time right to sow now? I do have cauli, cabbage, calabrese and sprouts still lurking in my seed box from last times try, so I might grasp the nettle and do it this weekend. In fact now, I can hardly wait to give it another go, howzat for a turnaround in less than an hour. You guys are brilliant. You will send me some veg if mine flops?

[zazen999]

Thanks Zaz. Is the time right to sow now? I do have cauli, cabbage, calabrese and sprouts still lurking in my seed box from last times try, so I might grasp the nettle and do it this weekend. In fact now, I can hardly wait to give it another go, howzat for a turnaround in less than an hour. You guys are brilliant. You will send me some veg if mine flops?

If yours flops; I'll bring some round on my next trip to YSP.

[Bigmallly]

And I'll drive down't M1 & drop some off.