MAKE ROOM FOR CABBAGE

Our humble cabbage is a powerhouse of goodness and we could all benefit from eating more of it. KG deputy editor Emma Rawlings offers tips on growing this popular brassica

- Emma Rawlings

The cabbage is such a delicious, healthy vegetable that can harvested all year round, giving us tasty coleslaw in summer or a lovely hot side dish in winter. It is a versatile vegetable and there are so many varieties of differing leaf textures and colours we can grow.

HOW TO GROW

In this feature we will be concentrating more on cabbages you can sow now in early spring for a summer/autumn harvest but the growing techniques are the same for spring or winter cabbages.

There are two ways to sow cabbages - either in containers first or direct into a prepared seedbed. The latter does produce really good results if you can protect the plants.

SOWING IN CONTAINERS

A popular way to start off cabbages is in a seed tray or by sowing into small pots or in cell trays. If you use small celled trays you can sow one or two seeds per cell. Use a multipurpose compost or a seed compost and after sowing lightly cover with a little more compost and then water. Place the containers in a propagator or on a windowsill. A little warmth (about 20-25C/68-77F) can help germinate the seeds. Once the seedlings are through move them immediately to a slightly cooler but light spot. Then, when the seedlings are large enough to handle, move them on into individual pots or cell trays with larger cells.

The plants do not need heat at this stage but it's best to put them in an unheated greenhouse, conservatory or in a cold frame to grow on to a larger size before planting out.

When the plants are about 15cm (6in) tall, which if sowing late February to March will be about April/May, then you can start to acclimatise them to outside temperatures if they have been grown in a greenhouse. Place outside during the day and bring in at night for a few days, or place in a cold frame to harden off.