- There are two times you can sow cabbage, for autumn/winter eating and for eating in spring.
- For winter cabbages sow May to June. Sowing in May you will get cabbage hearts in May and a June sowing will give later winter cabbage. For an early spring cabbage sow in August and they will establish before winter sets in.
Prepare soil in final planting location, incorporate plenty of well rotted organic matter and dig over. Best done a couple months before sowing. Soil must not be acidic. Sow indoors 10mm deep into moist well-drained seed compost. Cover with a layer of vermiculite. Propagate 20-25°C. Germination is rapid. Once germinated grow on in cooler conditions, 20°C. Transplant seedlings when you have 2-3 true leaves. Acclimatise and plant out when danger of frost has passed. Can sow outside from late March for transplanting later. Sow into a seedbed 10mm deep. Once large enough to handle move to final position with 60cm spacing.
Cover young crop with fleece or netting to prevent bird or insect attack. Water thoroughly after planting. Feed if desired with a high nitrogen fertiliser. Weed as required.
Harvest once the Cabbage head has matured. Cut with a sharp knife close to ground level, a secondary crop of small Cabbages may appear from the cut surface.
