Pot Growing Brassicas, Recycling, Mice Q&A

Generally, I’d rather people post questions on the forums rather than email me. I don’t believe any one person has all the answers, and our forums provide a number of opinions and approaches to problems.

There is another benefit in that the public posting means other people with the same or similar questions can see the answer.

I know a lot of people use groups on Facebook to obtain information, but there’s a problem with Facebook and similar. They’re not moderated as our forums are. We have a team of moderators and a core membership of experienced gardeners.

Some of the information I’ve seen on Facebook gardening groups is, frankly, ridiculous rubbish. That’s not the problem of itself, the problem is that it goes unchallenged. In the past I’ve tried, gently, to correct some of the misinformation, but that can result in ferocious personal attacks and hostility.

On our gardening forums we may challenge ideas and correct errors, in a polite and respectful manner, but not launch personal attacks.

Furthermore, I believe that social media has become a toxic environment that is responsible for and exacerbating some of the ills that beset our modern society. Their automated systems and manipulations reinforce and engender extreme opinions.

Anyway, some questions I’ve been asked recently and my answers. Feel free to chip in on the comments below with your view.

Growing Cabbages and Cauliflowers in Pots

Is it possible to grow cabbage or cauliflower in pots either in the garden or the polytunnel?

In theory, it is possible to grow anything in pots, but some things are easier than others. Growing cabbages, cauliflowers and calabrese or headed broccoli in pots is fairly easy. Best to look for compact varieties.

Pot Size. A fairly large pot is needed. I’d say a 25cm pot is a minimum and larger is better, 10 litres is ideal.

Growing Medium. Brassicas like a firm, rich soil with a pH in between 6.5 and 7.0. John Innes No. 3 compost or mix sieved garden soil with homemade compost. Adjust the pH with lime if necessary. Don’t use garden soil if there is any chance you have clubroot, though.

Cultivation. Feed regularly, every 3 to 4 weeks, with a nitrogen heavy liquid feed like Miracle Gro. Cauliflowers are sensitive to a lack of boron so dosing with a micronutrient feed like S-Chelate prevents any micro-nutrient deficiencies. Protect from pests like slugs and caterpillars.

Garden or Polytunnel?

Polytunnels can easily get too hot for cauliflowers and broccoli, so I’d say best to grow them in the garden.  Possibly a good idea to grow spring cabbages, if you’re somewhere very cold, in the poly but they’re fine outside.

Deterring Mice

This great tip was sent in by Carol. Thank You!

Spices, cloves, paprika etc don’t stay fresh/potent for any length of time in the kitchen cupboard. So I use all my expired ones sprinkled around my bulbs and on top of seeds when sowing to help deter mice etc.

Have to say it’s more environmentally friendly than some of the old methods for keeping mice away from peas etc. like soaking in paraffin!

Reuse, Recycle Leaking Water Butt

Allotmenteers and thrifty gardeners hate to waste anything, so what to do with a water butt that won’t hold water?

I have an old plastic water butt, about 5ft (1.5 metres) high that developed a crack in the base last winter. I was wondering if I could use it as a giant potato tub, topping up with compost as the potatoes grow or do you think it’s a daft idea as it’s too big?

5 ft is too high really but you can cut the barrel down to say 24″ and drill some drain holes to give you a large tub. You can cut the rest up to give some bottomless pots, great for carrots.

Carrots growing well in section of barrel