Challenge Brassica – Part 3 – Planting & Spacings for Kale, Brussels Sprouts & Cauliflower

It’s Planting time, here comes the fun bit.

First things first, we need to check the spacing on the types of Brassica we are growing to check they have plenty of room to grow sideways and not bump into another plant.

If your plants touch, then air doesn’t flow which means your plant could be susceptible to pests and diseases like mold or dead leaves could be a home to slugs and snails.

We don’t want to our nurtured plants to die, so it is best to pay attention to the spacing at the planting stage.

Brassica Plant Spacings

Raised Bed plantings are a little different to what it says on the seed packet. Most Raised Beds are at least 1 meter wide so you’ll want to get at least 2 plants in your 1 meter width.

Cauliflower

  • Generic Spacing: 40-60cm apart.
  • Raised Bed Spacing: 40cm apart.
  • If your Raised Bed is 1 meter wide, plant one cauliflower at 30cm in from the edge and the other at 70cm in from the edge. These planting measurements should be good if you need to put hoops or a cage with netting over the plants. When the plant is larger the leaves should not touch the sides.
  • Choose your planting plan below:

Kale

  • Generic Spacing: (depending on variety) 45cm to 60cm apart.
  • Raised Bed Spacing: I’m growing Black Kale, these plants don’t have a strong thick stem and the leaves grow from the base. I’ve planted my kale closer at 30cm apart so I can harvest before the leaves touch.

🎉 Top Tip: Plant the Kale closer together, and just pick the large outer leaves to eat as they get too close to the next plant. The new leaves grow in the centre.

Brussels Sprouts

  • Generic Spacing: (depending on variety) 45 – 60cm apart and 1 meter between rows. Spread 50cm. Height 75cm.
  • Raised Bed Spacing: 50cm apart and 50cm between rows.

📣 Top Tips for Brussels Sprouts Planting:

  • 1. When planting, firm the soil around the stem to secure the plant in the ground. As it grows, the stem will get heavier and if it’s not firmed in the ground it might topple over.
  • 2. If the stem on your seedling is a bit mis-shaped, plant it deeper in the soil, so you will get a straight stem when it grows up. The stem needs to be strong to grow the Brussels.
  • 3. Plant in a ☀ sunny location, in well draining soil. Add compost before planting.
  • 4. Get the stakes ready as your plants get taller especially if you have a windy site.
  • 5. Plant 🪴 Rosemary, basil, sage or oregano amongst your brassicas to repel pests like thrips, cabbage white butterfly larvae.
  • 6. Plant 🧄 garlic or 🧅 onions nearby to fend off other pests as they don’t like the smell.
  • 7. It’s best not to grow Cauliflowers with Brussels sprouts as they are both nutrient hungry and will take each other’s nutrients from the soil, so your plants growth may suffer.
  • 8. As Brussels Sprouts are slow growing, you can interplanted 🥬 Winter Lettuce in the gaps in the raised bed checking there is still airflow amongst the plants.

Here’s how I Planted my Winter Brassica’s:

Challenge Brassica Series

Discover how to grow Brassicas (Cabbage, Kale, Cauliflower & Brussels sprouts) in Autumn & Winter.

Learn about the challenges to overcome when growing in the winter months.

Next Time:

Brassicas need protection from pests and diseases – but what types are available to suit different budgets? I’ll be finding out in Part 4.

Part 4 – Hoops, Cages & Types of Netting for Protecting Brassicas.

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