Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. capitata
Cabbage is a staple allotment crop that, with careful variety selection, can provide harvests year-round. Spring cabbages are sown in late summer and harvested the following spring. Summer and autumn cabbages are sown from March and produce large, dense heads from July to November. Winter cabbages like 'January King' stand in the field through frost and snow, their leaves becoming sweeter and more tender with cold exposure. All cabbages are brassicas and need firm, fertile soil and protection from cabbage white butterflies — fine mesh netting is essential. Club root is the main disease concern; avoid by rotating crops and liming acidic soils. Net against pigeons too, which can strip a plant to stalks overnight. Red cabbages are slower growing but store brilliantly and make outstanding coleslaw and braised dishes.
Plan where to grow Cabbage using our vegetable garden planner.
When to Sow Cabbage
Sow cabbage in March, April, May, June, July.
Time to Harvest Cabbage
Expect to harvest approximately 4 months after sowing.
Expected Yield
One head per plant, typically 0.5–2kg depending on variety and growing time.
Common Problems with Cabbage
Caterpillars
Both large and small cabbage white butterfly caterpillars feast on cabbage leaves, and a severe infestation can reduce plants to bare stalks. Cover plants with fine butterfly netting immediately after transplanting and keep it in place throughout the growing season. Check leaf undersides regularly for clusters of yellow eggs and remove them before they hatch.
Club root
Swollen, distorted roots that prevent the plant from taking up water and nutrients, causing wilting even in wet soil. Lime acidic soils well before planting to raise the pH above 7.0, rotate brassicas on at least a 3–4 year cycle, and avoid bringing in contaminated soil on tools or boots. Start plants in modules with clean compost to build strong roots before exposure to infected ground.
Splitting heads
Mature cabbage heads crack and split open when they absorb water rapidly after a dry period — the inner leaves expand faster than the outer ones can accommodate. Prevent this by watering consistently throughout the growing season, especially during dry spells. Harvesting promptly when heads feel firm also reduces the risk. Twist the plant slightly to break some roots once heads are mature to slow water uptake if heavy rain is forecast.
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Cherry Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme
Cherry tomatoes are one of the most rewarding crops for UK allotment growers. These small, sweet fruits ripen reliably even in cooler summers, producing heavy trusses from July right through to October. They thrive in grow bags, pots, or directly in the ground, making them versatile for any plot size. Pinch out side shoots regularly on cordon varieties to channel energy into fruit production. Bush varieties like 'Tumbling Tom' need no training and work brilliantly in hanging baskets. Feed weekly with a high-potash tomato feed once the first fruits set. The key to great flavour is letting them ripen fully on the vine rather than picking early.
Beefsteak Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
Beefsteak tomatoes produce the large, meaty fruits that are perfect for slicing into sandwiches and burgers. They need a long growing season in the UK, so starting seeds early under cover is essential. These are almost always grown as cordons — train them up a single stem, removing side shoots weekly. Each truss produces fewer but much larger fruits than cherry types, often weighing 200–500g each. They benefit from greenhouse growing in cooler regions, though sheltered outdoor spots in the south can produce good results. Consistent watering is critical; irregular watering causes blossom end rot and fruit splitting. Stop the plant at 4–5 trusses to ensure fruits ripen before autumn.
Nantes Carrot
Daucus carota
Nantes carrots are the gold standard for flavour — sweet, crisp, and cylindrical with a smooth skin that barely needs peeling. They perform well in most UK soils but prefer light, stone-free ground to grow straight. If your soil is heavy clay, grow them in raised beds or deep containers filled with sandy compost. Sow thinly to avoid the need for heavy thinning, which attracts carrot fly. Cover rows with fine mesh or enviromesh as a physical barrier against carrot fly — this is far more reliable than companion planting alone. Successional sowing from March to July gives you carrots from June through to winter. Late sowings can be left in the ground over winter under a thick mulch of straw.
Butterhead Lettuce
Lactuca sativa
Butterhead lettuce produces soft, rounded heads with tender, buttery-textured leaves that melt in the mouth. It's one of the quickest salad crops to grow — ready in as little as 8 weeks from sowing. Unlike iceberg types, butterheads tolerate partial shade and are less likely to bolt in warm spells. Sow small batches every 2–3 weeks from March to September for a continuous supply. They work well as an intercrop between slower-growing vegetables like brassicas and leeks. Water consistently but avoid wetting the leaves to reduce the risk of grey mould. 'All the Year Round' is the classic UK variety and lives up to its name, performing well in almost every season.