A Guide To Growing Brassica Veggies

I love brassicas. They’re great vegetables and make me feel fab when I’m eating them. In fact, I’ve been known to have dozens of brussels sprouts on my plate several times a week during the colder months, I’m that much of a fan.

And this year, I’m attempting to grow my own brassica veggies. In pots. Yep, you read that right!

But perhaps you are sitting there thinking ‘Eve, I have no idea what a brassica is or even how to grow one’? That my friends is why I have put together this article, so that you can prepare yourself for growing brassicas of your own next year. Shall we dive in?

What Are Brassica Vegetables?

Brassica veggies are diverse plants with equally diverse growing habits. They are part of the cabbage and mustard family and are also known as a cruciferous vegetable. They can be distinguished by their lobed leaves and *often have a bluish-green color and waxy texture.

*NB. As you can see from the below list, there are a couple which do not conform to this description!

Brassicas thrive in cooler climates and, depending on the type of brassica you have, can produce all year round. Additionally, brassica vegetables have several health benefits as these leafy veggies come packed with vitamins C and K, beta-carotene, glucosinolates, and soluble fiber. Nom.

Brassica veggies are a common ingredient in cooking, making them an excellent vegetable to add to your garden. Below are the different types of brassica species – varieties perhaps? – that you can grow:

1. Arugula (also known as rocket)
2. Bok choy / Pak choi
3. Broccoli (regular, sprouting broccoli, etc)
4. Brussels sprout
5. Cabbage (savoy cabbage, chinese cabbage, etc)
6. Cauliflower (including the fractal type whose name escapes me right now)
7. Collard greens
8. Kale
9. Kohlrabi
10. Mustard greens
11. Rutabaga
12. Turnips
13. Watercress

How Do You Grow Brassica Veggies?

If you’re thinking of growing brassica plants you should know that they come with their own particular set of problems – but we like a challenge don’t we? That said, despite being relatively tricky to grow, I have no doubt that you will not only enjoy – but also love! – the harvest season once your plants start producing.

As we already noted earlier, brassica thrive in colder weather but also benefits from full sun exposure with a certain degree of shade. Note that certain brassica types, such as cabbage and broccoli, need to stay under 77ºF / 25°C. Any hotter and they struggle.

For larger brassica varieties, it is recommended that you allow at least 70cm of space in between each seed. Also, some brassica veggies can flourish in pots and containers, such as cabbages and kohlrabi, while others prefer to be in the ground. I’m excited to be growing brussel sprouts this year in pots, but I have gone from 14 seedlings down to just two young plants already. More on that below!

Another piece of advice is to never re-plant brassica in the same container/pot, as pests might still linger in the soil.

Tips For Planting Brassica Veggies

Let’s dive into some tips to help you get the most out of your brassica adventure!

1. Prepare The Soil

Brassicas require soil with a pH level of 6.5 to 7.5. You should also fork and add plenty of organic matter to the soil. If you’ve got a good compost at home in the bin, now would be a time to put it to use! Covering the soil bed with mulch will also help.

2. Provide Enough Light

When planting brassica in pots or containers indoors, use artificial light so the leaves won’t become too gangly. My dad does this with many veggies that he starts off indoors when the days are short and nights are long.

3. Remove Any Pests

It’s essential that you clean the garden bed – or containers – of any pest or disease-infested plant before planting your brassica. We want to give the plants the best shot and pests are vicious with this type of veggies!

4. Provide Cover

If needed, use a row cover. Pests can ruin your brassica veggies in an instant. To stop this, cover your crops with tulle fabric as it lets both light and air in a while, keeping those pesky insects out. While many will tell you that slugs are the pest of choice when it comes to losing your brassicas, I have discovered that the cabbage white butterfly likes to lay eggs when the leaves are young. Be warned!

5. Evict The Slugs (And Snails)

Be wary of slugs. And snails. These nocturnal pests love feasting at night, so you might want to check your crops now and again during the evening. And if it rains? Expect to lose a good portion of your crops. If need be you can also resort to safe slug-repellent products to keep the slimy buggers out.

My dad has tried egg shells, my brother has tried metal scourers and my youngest niece has been known to pick them up and find them a home in her ‘snail house’. Yes, really.

6. Arm Yourself With Knowledge

There are more than a dozen types of brassica veggies out there, and some will require a different approach than others. Read about the different kinds of brassica and know the ins and outs of each variety so you aren’t tripped up.

7. Scoff Them Up

Harvest brassica the moment they are ready. You grew them for a reason, and while I know it’s lovely having all the greenery in the garden, we do want to actually eat them before they spoil. Please do not leave your brassicas outside too long, or they might start growing flowers. Instead, harvest them when they are ready. You can always keep them frozen for storage in the meantime if you have too many to eat each week.

What Growing Conditions Do Brassica Prefer?

First and foremost, remember that brassica vegetables prefer colder climates. With that in mind, August and September will provide just the right environment for brassica plants to thrive. Break out your frost covers and cold frames to extend your gardening throughout the colder months with cold-loving crops. So, if you plan on growing brassica veggies, fall will be the best opening window to do so.

I recommend planting your brassica veggies indoors first in July and August before the biting cold blankets over your area – I’m doubtful it will get that cold where I am for a while though, with the unusually hot summer we’ve had!

Another reason I suggest starting indoors is to prevent pests and insects from feasting on your still budding brassica. Keeping pests away from your brassica vegetable will be one of the trickiest parts of growing this plant as it seems to be a magnet for slugs, aphids, bugs, crickets, butterflies and even squirrels. 

As for where it’s planted, plants from the brassica family prefer nutrient-rich and well-drained soil with a good nitrogen level. Speaking of nitrogen-rich earth, if you planted beans during the summer beforehand, your brassica will be grateful if you place the seedlings there as beans release a healthy dose of nitrogen into the soil. 

Alternatively, you can add comfrey leaf along with the brassica seeds, as this will produce a decent amount of added nutrients to the soil. Comfrey’s long tap roots can absorb nutrients better and store them in their leaves. Then, when the comfrey leaves drop and decay, an explosion of nutrients is returned to the soil. So, planting comfrey with a brassica veggie is a good idea that will help the latter grow.

Common Brassica Pests And Diseases

This section will highlight where you’re likely to experience the most difficulty regarding the growing of brassica crops. You can basically get everything right when growing brassica vegetables only to get stumped by a sudden fest infestation of pests or plant disease. Below is a list of the usual suspects that can destroy your crops.

Aphids

Cabbage are the most prone to these tiny grayish-white insects. Check the underside of the cabbages for any clusters of eggs. Regularly check for any signs of infestation and apply insecticides as early as possible. 

Leaf Miner

Leaf miners pose a massive problem with turnips in particular. During its larva stage, the leaf miner will burrow into the leaves while feeding from its nutrients. This leaves the brassica with a sickly yellowish color. You can prevent leaf miners from propagating by keeping a good crop rotation, using insecticides, or planting treated seeds. 

Cabbage Worms

As the name implies, this pest prefers to munch on delicious cabbages. This pest can completely destroy your crop of cabbages as not only will they consume your veggies, but their droppings will also further damage the crops. 

Flea Beetles

These tiny insects hop around the crops, hence their name. Unfortunately, their mode of travel also means they can quickly infest your garden if left unchecked. Flea beetles love hiding in the foliage while they gorge on brassica leaves, severely damaging the plant. 

Cabbage White Butterfly

Cabbage white butterflies, or CWB, are moths with yellowish-white wings with black forewings. They lay tiny white pointed eggs that steadily turn yellow as it matures, which typically takes around four days.

This insect is ravenous and can cause immense damage to your brassica crops in a short period. They also love radish. Which I have recently experienced. I’m still traumatized!

One of the best prevention methods for CWB is to place a fine netting or cover over your crop. This should make it difficult for them to lay eggs on your plants. It is also advisable to check on your crops regularly to see if any caterpillars managed to sneak into your garden. You can also place nasturtium plants to act as a sacrificial crop to keep your brassicas safe. 

Common Brassica Diseases

Aside from worrying about insects and other pests invading your brassica crops, you should also be wary of diseases that can suddenly appear without warning. In addition, you should keep an eye out for two specific brassica diseases: club root and dry rot. 

Club Root

Club root is a plant disease that primarily affects cabbages. It causes the plant to wilt and suffer from a yellowish discoloration of the leaves. The fungus invades the roots of the cabbage, stifling its growth and ability to absorb nutrients from the soil. This will result in severely stunted growth, which will then cause the plant to die. 

This disease is common in areas that experience heavy rainfall and has heavy land that contains more clay and acidic soils. To lower the risk of club root disease affecting your brassica veggies, it is highly recommended that you apply proper crop rotation and garden hygiene.

Black Rot

Black rot in crops is caused by a fungus called Leptosphaeria maculans. This is highly destructive as it can be an airborne or seed-borne disease, which can spread throughout your garden at an alarming rate if it goes under your radar. 

Early signs of black rot include brown abrasions around the plant roots. Over time, these brownish lesions will slowly turn black, hence, the name. Worse, dry roots can occur at any point during the plant’s growth. 

Also, black rot can remain in the soil from the leftover residue of affected plants. To prevent it, ensure good crop rotation, gardening hygiene, and applying protectants beforehand.

Common Brassica Companion Plants

Another factor you should consider when growing brassica veggies is planting companion plants. Several companion plants will provide excellent benefits and the primary purpose of these companion plants is to prevent pests and diseases, keep weeds from infiltrating your crop, and even save space. 

With that said, here are great plants that will be great roommates for your brassica crop:

• Beets
• Borage
• Carrots
• Celery
• Chamomile
• Dill
• Garlic
• Geraniums
• Nasturtium
• Onions
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Soybeans
• Thyme

Of course, certain plants don’t mesh well with brassicas. Avoid planting these in the same area if you want your brassica vegetable to thrive: 

• Asparagus
• Mustards
• Peppers
• Tomatoes

What Is The Easiest Brassica To Grow?

For beginners who want to try their hands on growing a brassica vegetable, I would recommend starting with kale or arugula (rocket).

Kale is already known for being an incredibly easy vegetable to grow in pots; plus, it is immune from pests and diseases that affect other brassica family members. Still, I will recommend you install a net or cover as pigeons will find a crop of kale mouthwateringly enticing.

The other easy one on the list to start with is arugula – also known as rocket! I grow wild rocket each year and love it for salads and sandwiches. It’s super easy to grow but it does run to seed quickly if you leave it unattended.

I hope you enjoyed this guide to brassica veggies. I know that while my harvest will be smaller this year than planned, it’s great practice (and fun) trying to grow them in pots, and I’ll be even more determined next year!

Will you be trying your green thumb / fingers with any mentioned on this list? Let me know in the comments!