Growing Guides How to grow cabbages

Date Published:

24/01/2008

Caring guide:

The transplanted cabbages are best grown in a sunny spot with a reasonably fertile and well-drained soil – this can be dug over and manured the previous winter.

A week before transplanting, a general organic fertiliser should be spread over the ground.

During the growing season, keep the plants well watered in dry weather and give summer and autumn cabbages a dose of liquid fertiliser as the leafy hearts start to swell. The site must be kept free from weeds at all times. In the autumn and winter, it's important to firm-in any plants that have been loosened by strong winds or frosts

Birds can be a problem throughout the year but cabbages are easily protected by hanging bird-scaring devices between the plants. For example, old CDs and strips of tin foil can be hung from short sticks (using string) and placed between the cabbages – they should stand above the top of the plants. Both will glitter and rustle in the sun and wind to frighten away hungry birds.

Harvesting guide:

Cabbages should be harvested (as required) by cutting the stems close to ground level and using the hearts in the kitchen as soon as possible.

However, winter cabbages can be cut in November and then stored through the winter in a cool and dry room – remove the roots, stem and outer leaves from each one and place them in straw-lined boxes.