Growing cabbages

[nohorn]

I live in an area where cabbages grow easily. However, for two seasons they failed to have a tight round cabbage, just huge leaves that didn't coalize (set) in a round ball. Why was that , did they get too much rain at the wrong time? The same thing happened to my brussel sprouts.

[Clanad]

At first, I was going to say you might have planted a loose leaf variety of cabbage, but then you threw in the comment about your brussel sprouts..
First, cabbage should be planted as early as possible. It's a cool weather vegetable. Fertilize very lightly. Over fetilization often couase the dilema you describe.
If, afte the leaves begin to form and don't show any sign of balling into a head, pull the larger outer leaves into a loose cover over the center of the. I use a large 1/2 inch wide rubber band to hold them in this position. It provides shade for the interior and keeps it cooler.
Water with religious regularity... but don't over water! An inch or so a week, but keep the soil moist but not wet. I use a soaker hose arrangement rather than getting the upper plant wet thorugh sprinkling.
True, verifiable response to hot weather by cabbages is indicated by "bolting"... sending up a rapid growing flower stalk. The plant must be pulled up and discarded if this happens. If happens early enough in the season, plant more cabbages for a later fall harvest since they are quite frost tolerant.
No one in my family likes brussel sprouts, so I have no advice on that plant...

[johntywino]

Brussels must have a well compacted surface otherwise they won't close

[nohorn]

Johnytywino: What do you mean, surface of what?

[a-nigma]

johntywino is right - soil around cabbages and sprouts needs to be trodden on firmly so that the heads will grow properly.

[nohorn]

OK this spring, (09) I will bring the big leaves up on the cabbage and secure them with a rubber band ( that will keep them cooler. Then I will trodden down the surface of the soil around from which they grow, and will report back the results. Thank You everyone!