Cabbage and cauliflower taste so much better straight from the garden. You can even give broccoli and brussels sprouts a go.

Cauliflower (shown above)
(Brassica oleracea var. botrytis)

Climate: Grows in all zones.

Planting: Sow seeds into warm soil or start in seedling trays and plant out when six to eight weeks old. Sow small-growing varieties (the best for home gardens) 40cm apart, twice that for full-size cauliflowers. In temperate and cool temperate areas, sow from late spring until midsummer. In other areas, sow from midsummer to mid-autumn. Plant in batches of six every four to five weeks.

Growing: Cauliflowers should be grown fast, so plant them into well-prepared, very fertile soil and never let it go dry. As the plants grow, if the white head is visible, tie the outer leaves over it. Caterpillars and aphids are serious pests during the warmer months. Harvest when the heads are big but still tightly packed. Cut out the entire head and compost the remains.

Cabbage
(Brassica oleracea var. capitata)

Don't grow cabbages in the same soil two seasons running.

Climate: Suits all climates.

Planting: Sow seed into soil enriched with rotted manure and a ration of complete plant food. In the tropics, sow any time. Elsewhere, sow warm-season growers in late winter or early spring, cool-season growers in late summer or early autumn. Sow cabbages in batches according to your family's needs.

Growing: Small types should be grown 30cm apart, full-size cabbages will need twice that spacing. Keep the soil moist. If cabbage is planted in rich soil, no further feeding will be needed. Caterpillars are major pests. Remove by hand or spray or dust with an insecticide. Never grow cabbages in the same soil two seasons running. Harvest whenever the head seems a good size.

Broccoli
(Brassica oleracea var. italica)

Thin out your broccoli seedlings so the remaining ones grow bigger.

Climate: Best in temperate and cool temperate areas, but can be grown in other areas.

Planting: Sow seeds from mid-spring to late summer. In frost-free or almost frost-free areas, sow from early summer to late autumn. In tropical areas, sow in autumn. Batches of six plants sown a month apart will feed four.

Growing: Thin seedlings to 15cm apart. When these begin to crowd each other, remove every second plant (which should have a small head). The remaining plants will grow much bigger and produce side heads. Feed once or twice with a low-nitrogen fertiliser. Keep moist. Practise crop rotation to minimise diseases such as club root. Aphids and caterpillars are common pests that need prompt attention. To harvest, cut the central head with some stem attached when the buds are still tight. Side shoots will develop new heads.

Brussels sprouts
(Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera)

You can pick your first sprouts four months after planting.

Climate: Temperate and cool temperate are most suitable but plants may also be grown in the cooler parts of humid subtropical, Mediterranean and semi-arid areas.

Planting: In frosty areas, sow seeds from mid-spring to midsummer. In frost-free areas, summer sowing is recommended. Sow into pots, punnets or trays and transplant seedlings into very well-drained but moisture-retentive soil when they are a few centimetres tall.

Growing: Keep the soil evenly moist and feed plants with liquid or soluble plant food every three weeks after they've been transplanted. Aphids and caterpillars are the main pests and can be controlled with insecticidal dusts or sprays. To harvest, pick from the bottom of the stem while the sprouts are still tight. The first sprouts will be ready for harvesting about four months after they've been put out into the garden.

Source: Gardening: A Commonsense Guide (Murdoch Books)