Clarissa F1
Cabbage (Winter) in the UK

Right, for your winter cabbage, you'll be wanting to sow your seeds in April or May. You can start them off in modules in the cold frame or on the windowsill, just popping a couple of seeds into each one, about 1.5 cm deep. Once they've germinated, thin to the strongest seedling. Or, if you've got the space and a bit of protection, you can sow them direct into a seedbed outside. The main thing is to make sure that soil is good and firm before you sow, like I say, brassicas love a firm seedbed to get a good start.

Once your seedlings are big enough, with a few true leaves, you'll want to prick them out if they're too close or pot them on into bigger modules. Get them hardened off gradually, you know, a week or two outside during the day, back in at night. Then, when they're sturdy little plants, usually late May or June up here in the North East, you can plant them out on the plot. Give them a good 45-60 cm between plants, and make sure that ground is properly firmed down around their roots.