Bolting cabbage!!!!

Hi there greenfolk,
Why would my cabbages be "bolting" so badly, they where planted last Nov'ish on two different sites. The set in the garden have almost all bolted!!!, the best one in now about two feet or more with clumps of leaves every 6-8ins.

Looks like topiary!!!!!!!!!!

Steve

 

Was the ground really well firmed when planting? I don't think they are keen on "fresh" manure either (I don't mean straight-from-animal, I mean recently applied!)

Lack of water 2-3 weeks before due to mature? This is a critical time to give them one really good drenching

 

In addition to the points that Kristen has raised, what type of cabbage were they? Some types of veg are usually more prone to bolting than others.

 

"what type of cabbage were they?"

Ah, good point. I assumed they were a Spring Cabbage variety, as planted in November, but if not they may well think this is their second year and time to flower! (and Spring cabbages should be pretty much all done by now, although November a little late to plant, so could still hold until first week of June I imagine.

 

I would say November is too late even for planting Spring cabbage. They are not going to make enough root growth to sustain them through the winter.

 

Hi there, if as I gather, they are going to seed, I it worth collecting said seed and using it for next years crop???

Many thanks

Steve

 

"is it worth collecting said seed and using it for next years crop???"

Nope :(

The ones going to seed may be pre-disposed to "bolting", and you don't want to encourage that!

Best to keep seed from your best, biggest, tastiest, etc. plants.

If your Dad was tall you'd be likely to grow the same, and if he was short you are unlikely to be a giant. Same for bolting cabbages!

 

is it worth collecting seed
as well as what kristen&david said they would not have any disease protection or substantially reduced protection any way and could leave you wide open to all kinds of nasties

 

not sure if this is of help, but it seems pritty thorough
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0904/bolting_vegetables.asp

cheers
:cnfs: