Garden soil well composted, with a ph of 6.5 Garden is in the north of Scotland KW7.
This can be direct sown at any time in your area, unless it is hot or freezing. Even then, they will tolerate freezing weather, usually.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cabbage/growing-cabbage.htm
Hya Planted some cabbage but all the leaves got eaten so got some more. A day later they had all been very badly eaten. Sprayed with usual stuff on sale but did not stop them getting eaten. Nobody's got any idea what's causing this - no sign of slugs or anything else, can you give some advice please?
There can be a few different pests that cause issues with cabbage.
These articles may help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cauliflower/controlling-cauliflower-insects.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cabbage/cabbage-looper-control.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cauliflower/cauliflower-plant-protection.htm
Describe their scientific classifications including common names.
These links may help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cabbage
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Corchorus+olitorius
The weather here is unusually hot for this time of year and have seen no rain in weeks.
Yes, you certainly can; though they may not have the best flavor.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cabbage/harvesting-cabbage.htm
Normally with cabbage, they form a head but they are often damaged by pests like worms and pincher bugs. This year I just picked the leaves to prevent that. How can I prevent the pests from getting in the heads of cabbage? Also, I am having good success with cauliflower this year. I'm afraid if I tie them up I will get bugs damaging them as they will be trapped under the leaves. Should I check them daily or every other day?
Check them as often as you have time to do.
Here's a link to an article that will help you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cauliflower/controlling-cauliflower-insects.htm
Do you add lime when they are ready for planting in the ground or seedlings in a pot?
You will want add it when a soil test confirms that it is lacking. This will not have a set time period.
Ultimately, your lettuce will tell you if you need to add it by the tips of the new leaves turning brown, but it is best to test the soil to make sure that all nutrient levels are correct prior to planting.
Once a test confirms calcium deficiency, it can be used in the soil, or sprayed on the plant in foliar spray form at any time.
These articles will help you to test your soil:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm
I bought seeds for the annual vinca, the new blackberry/jams color. I followed directions carefully since I was excited to grow this plant that nurseries aren’t stocking...at least for now. I saw it originally at Elizabeth Park in W Htfd, Ct. I now have 30 large seedling but they are NOT vinca. They look like broccoli but don’t smell at all like anything and have blossoms of small white flowers in clusters. The flowers do not have a scent. I have asked several plant people but they did not know what name of this plant. I’ve uploaded 3 pictures for you. One when they were seedling. I’ve fertilized it a bit to get it off to a strong start so they gotten big, about 14” tall. The stems are thick and the leaves are huge and smooth. The seeds did not come in a typical seed packet but rather a smaller foil packet.
You are on the right track... That is, certainly, a brassica. Probably cabbage that is bolting, or possibly a form of kale.
This article will give you information on all of the Crusciferous vegetables so that you may compare from one species to the other: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/cruciferous-vegetables.htm