Soil
Rich, deep soil, firm with plenty of well rotted compost dug in to provide abundant organic matter.
Position
Full sun.
Frost tolerant
Yes, improves with frost.
Feeding
Mix a high-nitrogen compost into the soil before planting.
Companions
Beet, Buckwheat, Calendula, Carrot, Chamomile, Dill, Marigold, Mint, Nasturtium, Onion, Onions, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Potatoes and Agastache.
Spacing
Single Plants: 1′ 11″ (60cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 1′ 11″ (60cm) with 1′ 11″ (60cm) row gap (minimum)
Sow and Plant
Where summers are cool, start indoors in early spring and set plants out when they have 5 or more leaves. In other areas, start seeds indoors in summer and set out plants 8 weeks before your first fall frost date.
Notes
Under the coldest conditions, colonies of gray-green cabbage aphids can seriously infest plants. Control early outbreaks with insecticidal soap.
Harvesting
Harvest from the bottom of the plant upward, twisting off sprouts that are larger than a marble. Removing nearby leaves helps to make room for growing sprouts.
