Cabbage

Cabbage Overview

Brassica oleracea (Cagitata Group), commonly known as Cabbages, is a leafy vegetable producing large heads of compact leaves. Cabbages belong to the Mustard family that include broccoli, cauliflowers, kale and Brussel Sprouts. They are mild, sweet and have a slightly peppery flavour. They can be used freshly cut, cooked, added to soups and used in side dishes. Cabbages prefer growing in cooler temperatures and thrive during winter in warmer climates. With three main harvesting seasons, Spring, Summer and Winter, Cabbages are sown from late Feb-May (Summer crop), Apr-May (Winter) and Jul-Aug (Spring) into seedbeds or modules. Transplant out when they have developed five or six true leaves to their final location and space them apart as such. Compact varieties 30cm (12") apart, Larger 45cm (18") and Spring cabbages 10cm (4") thinning again in Feb/Mar. With a little planning, Cabbages can be grown all year round. Some of the varieties that have earned a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit are: Spring Cabbages - (Mar. to May) Duncan, Durham Elf, Lyatt's Offenham Compacta, Pixie, Advantage, Spring Hero and Winterjewel. Summer Cabbages - (Jun. to Sept..) Cabbice, Caraflex, Carambra, Dutchman, Elisa, Excel, Gonzales, Hispi, Primero, Regency, Shelta, Stonehead Savoy Cabbage (Sept. to Mar.) - Alaska, Endeavour, Famosa, January King, Medee, Rigoleto. Traviata, Tundra, Wintessa Autumn Cabbage - (Sept. to Nov.) Buscaro, Minicole, Picador, Providence, Red Jewel, Rodeo, Rookie, Rugby Ball, Savoy Serve, Sherwood, Winter Cabbage - (Nov. to Mar.) Embassy, Huzaro, Kilaton, Deadon, Marabel, Noelle,