Durham Early cabbage

[womble]

I'd like some cabbage as near as winter as I can get. As I'm as unprepared as usual, I haven't sown any.

So if I sow DE cabbage now, I'd like it to mature asap.

So..... is it better to sow it in the place it is to grow, or to grow in modules and transplant?

I get conflicting advice about transplanting brassicas, some say it's good for them (what I always thought) and some say it's bad for them.

I've now got the space for them to be sown in the place they are to grow and I can leave decent spaces between them, I'm just a bit undecided about which way to go.

[Florence Fennel]

I sowed some All Year Round cauli on Monday night, in modules and I'm doing the same with cabbage at the weekend. I think they need a fighting chance against the beasties in the soil and in the air before putting them into the ground and in modules they have that chance.

[Alison]

I always sow my green brassicas (ie not the root ones) in modules so that they can get to a decent size before risking slug damage and it frees the bed up for longer too. I'm intending to sow some Durham Early in the next couple of weeks for planting out late summer. Did this for this year's crop though and they were still late hearting up, probably due to the cold winter.

[rustylady]

I'd go for modules every time - easier to protect the little seedlings till they are big enough to stand a fighting chance out on the lottie.

[Snadger]

I like to sow mine direct and use the thinnings as winter greens!

[Florence Fennel]

Pixie's always been a good one for me. I sow at this time of year and they can go fairly close together so you can harvest as "greens", or leave to mature. I estimate some will be ready by October/November and if I want them to heart, I leave them longer.

[womble]

But what I want to know is.....

What is better for the cabbages, ie which way of sowing will make them grow faster, modules or direct sowing?

I'm not too worried about beasties on the soil, I just want big cabbages, yesterday
I always understood that they liked being transplanted, they grew stronger for it, but recently I've seen some forum stuff written that they don't like being transplanted.
I'm confused.

[womble]

Pixie's always been a good one for me. I sow at this time of year and they can go fairly close together so you can harvest as "greens", or leave to mature. I estimate some will be ready by October/November and if I want them to heart, I leave them longer.

Thanks, but I'm not buying any more seeds this year, just spent £15 at real seeds ready for next year
So it's Tarvoy or Durham Early, or maybe I'll have a look at the back of the seed box.

[Florence Fennel]

MoreVeg, 20 seeds for 50p, can I tempt you?

[Florence Fennel]

I'd have sent you some Womble, but I've just sown them all. What about the seed swap? You could get some for nothing. Just a suggestion

[Snadger]

But what I want to know is.....

What is better for the cabbages, ie which way of sowing will make them grow faster, modules or direct sowing?

I'm not too worried about beasties on the soil, I just want big cabbages, yesterday
I always understood that they liked being transplanted, they grew stronger for it, but recently I've seen some forum stuff written that they don't like being transplanted.
I'm confused.

The theory goes that transplanted plants make a better root system with more fine roots rather than a single tap root which feeds and supports the plant.
Module grown plants also get a better start in life and should be able to survive even a clubroot attack to some extent.
Having said that i believe clubroot is a warm weather fungi and isn't quite as troublesome throughout the winter.

[oldie]

My Grandfather used to say that cabbages loved being manhandled, that you could stomp on them with you rugby boots as you transplanted them and they would love you for it!

[emilymup]

I have got lots of seeds if you would like some - about 10 different varieties at least! Maybe you could stay for a barbeque too!!!

Wyevale has got 50% off all seeds too - I stocked up there for next year

[womble]

I have got lots of seeds if you would like some - about 10 different varieties at least! Maybe you could stay for a barbeque too!!!

I do love BBQ's

[womble]

I'd have sent you some Womble, but I've just sown them all. What about the seed swap? You could get some for nothing. Just a suggestion

Thanks, I'm doing no seed swaps for a while, I'm not good at sending out stuff.

The theory goes that transplanted plants make a better root system with more fine roots rather than a single tap root which feeds and supports the plant..

That's right! Yet students are taught that brassicas don't like their roots being disturbed. I presume all horticultural students are now going to not agree with me