Marner Lagerrot
Cabbage (Red) in the UK

Right, red cabbage. You can start these indoors from March to April, or sow directly outside from April into May. If you're starting indoors, pop them in small pots or modules, about 1 cm deep. Keep 'em warm, 15-20°C is grand, on a windowsill or in the greenhouse. For outdoor sowing, make a shallow drill, about 1.5 cm deep, and sow thinly. Once they're up, thin 'em out to about 15 cm apart. Don't rush 'em, give 'em time to get going.

When your indoor seedlings have got four to six proper leaves, it's time to prick 'em out into individual pots if they're not already. Before planting out on the allotment, you'll want to harden them off for a week or two, you know, get 'em used to the outdoor life. Plant them out when all danger of frost has passed, usually mid-May up here, bit earlier down south. Give 'em plenty of space – about 45-60 cm between plants, and 60 cm between rows. Firm 'em in well, proper firm, it really helps.