Top tip..

If you happen to be the kind of chlorophyll crazed loon; who thinks it a perfectly reasonable undertaking to plant out 1600 cabbages by hand...

To avoid unsightly injuries; to a farm maidens hand...

A wodge of wadding; inside the glove...Before; the blister starts to form...

Also stainless steel tools; insert into; and thereafter; shed; the earth; most efficiently...
Thus lightening the load infinitesimally with each move...

But....The smallest amount x 1600 adds up to quite a lot...

And you too; can have the same advice for free as I gave to a chap going by the name  Huge Furry Whatsischops; or some such, when he inquired, whilst perusing at a market, as to how I got my sprout buttons so perfect..

"They like it deep and firm Hugh...

Deep and firm..."

The plant stems will send out secondary feeding; and stabilising roots; if they are planted deeply enough.
And the soil needs pressing down with some conviction.

Not patting it round; as if you're putting a kitten in its basket..

Probs too late to be sending him an invoice for 'consultancy'... 

But perhaps next year I'll run a course here entitled... 'Getting your brassicae done right'

I won't charge much for the expert tuition and could even throw in some free camping....

Lovely views...

Book now, to avoid dissapointing, me...

Low tech but effective tools for the job; string to get them in straight (that really helps with accurate hoeing later) ; stainless steel bladed planting trowel; and padding for inside your glove...