FAMlLY MATTERS BURGEONING BRASSICAS

Despite the new wave of trendy and exotic veg that has grabbed our attention in recent years, the cabbage family (brassicaceae) endures and is still a favourite on allotment plots everywhere. This important family includes all of those leafy greens we know and love, including cabbages (of course), kale, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, but also some common crops that you may not realise are related including mizuna, mustard, kohl rabi, turnip and swede.

The brassica family, also known collectively as crucifers or cruciferous crops, is huge and importantly also takes in many common weeds to be found in the UK such as shepherd’s purse hairy bitter-cress ( and garlic mustard It is important to identify your cruciferous weeds as they may harbour pests and diseases which will attack your crops.