Once the main head starts to form, calabrese plants can become top-heavy, so pile soil up around the base of the stem to improve stability. Buffeting by the wind can loosen the roots and hinder growth. If your soil is very acidic, apply lime the previous winter to raise the pH and deter clubroot disease. Calabrese prefers soil with a pH of at least 6.8.

Seasonal special – Pumpkin and mozzarella stirred through risotto rice, coated in breadcrumbs and fried until golden and crispy. Served with truffle mayonnaise For the most reliable calabrese varieties, look for those with an RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM), which shows they performed exceptionally well in trials – see our list of AGM fruit and veg for recommended varieties of calabrese and many other crops. It is susceptible to several pests and diseases that affect the cabbage family, including clubroot and cabbage root fly. Covering the crop with fine-mesh netting, supported on a framework, will keep several pests at bay, including cabbage caterpillars and pigeons. Cabbage whitefly and aphids can also cause problems. Wide spacing between plants helps to deter pests and fungal diseases.Growing calabrese from seedFrom February to April, you can start calabrese seeds off in a greenhouse or on a windowsill. This should give reliable results, as seedlings are protected from harsh weather and pests such as slugs, however calabrese doesn’t like root disturbance, so take great care when transplanting. Sowing indoors is also preferable if you have clubroot disease in your soil, so the plants can develop a strong root system before being moved outside.

As the peppers cool, heat the olive oil in a pan and sauté the onion and garlic until soft but not coloured Calabrese and broccoli are two different crops, but they are often muddled up, with both plants widely referred to as broccoli. But in gardening terms there’s a clear distinction: If you sow several small batches a few weeks apart, you can spread out your harvests and avoid gluts.Hi we have two miniature dogs and would like to book an outside corner table for this Sunday at 2.00 pm for two people and the dogs please.