Allotment Cabbage: From Seed to Supper!

           

Cabbage is a really popular vegetable to grow in an allotment because it's so useful in the kitchen and can provide a harvest over a long period if you plan your planting carefully. Getting your own cabbages from the allotment to your dinner plate is incredibly satisfying. It's a versatile vegetable that can be used in many dishes, it's packed with nutrients, and with a bit of foresight and good timing for planting different varieties, you can enjoy fresh cabbage for many months of the year. It's a true triumph to successfully grow your own.

Choosing Your Cabbage - More Than Just Green!

Before you even think about putting a spade in the ground, consider the vast array of cabbage varieties available. It's not just about the standard green ball!

• Early/Summer Cabbages: These mature quickly and are perfect for a fresh, crisp crunch in summer salads. Think 'Hispi' (pointed) or 'Golden Acre'.

• Autumn/Winter Cabbages: Hardier varieties that can stand in the ground for longer, providing delicious greens well into the colder months. 'Savoy' cabbages with their crinkly leaves are fantastic, as are robust 'January King' types.

• Red Cabbages: Not just for colour! These are often firmer and great for pickling or slow cooking.

Think about what you'll use them for and when you want to harvest. A mix of varieties can give you a continuous supply.

cabbage seedings in march

Getting Started: Sowing Seeds

You can buy young cabbage plants, but sowing from seed is incredibly rewarding and often more economical.

• When to Sow:

  • Early varieties: Sow indoors in late winter (February/March) or directly outdoors under cloches in early spring.

  • Maincrop & Winter varieties: Sow outdoors from late spring to early summer (April to June).

• Sowing Method:

• Sow seeds thinly in trays or modules filled with good quality seed compost.

• Cover lightly with compost and water gently.

• Germination usually takes about a week to 10 days.

• Once seedlings have their first true leaves, prick them out and transplant into individual pots if you started them in trays, giving them space to grow.

Preparing the Ground – Cabbage Needs Good Grub!

Cabbages are hungry plants and thrive in firm, fertile soil.

       Hardening off is the essential process of gradually acclimating indoor-grown plants to outdoor conditions before planting them permanently. Over 7 to 14 days, plants are slowly exposed to increasing periods of outdoor temperatures, wind, and direct sunlight, strengthening their cell walls and cuticles. This prevents shock and damage when they're finally moved outdoors, ensuring healthier, more resilient growth.

• Location: Choose a sunny spot on your allotment. They need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day.

• Soil Prep:

  • Dig your plot over in autumn or early spring, incorporating plenty of well-rotted manure or compost. Cabbages are brassicas, and they love nitrogen-rich soil.

  • Aim for a neutral to slightly alkaline pH (around 6.5-7.5). If your soil is acidic, consider adding some lime in the autumn.

  • Before planting, firm the soil down well – cabbages prefer a firm root run. You can walk over the area or gently tamp it down.

Transplanting and Spacing

Once your young cabbage plants have developed a few true leaves and are sturdy enough (typically 4-6 weeks after sowing), they're ready for their permanent home.

• Spacing is Key: This is crucial for good head formation and air circulation to prevent disease.

  • Early/Small varieties: 30-45cm (12-18 inches) apart.

  • Maincrop/Large varieties: 60-75cm (24-30 inches) apart.

  • Leave 45-60cm (18-24 inches) between rows.

• Planting: Make a hole large enough for the root ball, place the plant in, and firm the soil gently around the base. Water them in well.

cabbages first day out at allotment after harening off

Cabbage Care – Nurturing Your Crop

Watering: Cabbages need consistent moisture, especially during dry spells and as the heads start to form. Irregular watering can lead to splitting.

Feeding: Once the plants are established, give them a liquid feed high in nitrogen every couple of weeks, or top-dress with a balanced granular fertiliser.

Weeding: Keep on top of weeds, as they compete for nutrients and water. Mulching around the plants can help suppress weeds and retain moisture.

Pest Protection: Cabbages are magnets for a few notorious pests:

Cabbage White Butterflies: The bane of many a brassica grower! Their caterpillars can decimate leaves. Cover your plants with fine insect-proof mesh or netting from the moment you plant them out. This is by far the most effective organic method.

Slugs and Snails: Protect young plants with your preferred methods (beer traps, crushed eggshells, regular patrols).

Clubroot: This is a fungal disease that causes distorted roots and stunted growth. Good crop rotation is essential to prevent it. Don't plant brassicas in the same spot for at least three years. If you have clubroot in your soil, choose resistant varieties.

Pigeons: these can decimate cabbages in a couple of days. they destroy any brassica plants at any time of the year. 

Harvesting Your Bounty

Harvest time is the moment of truth!

• When to Harvest: Your cabbage is ready when the head feels firm and solid when you squeeze it. Don't wait too long, or they may split.

• How to Harvest: Use a sharp knife to cut the stem just above the lowest leaves. For some varieties, if you leave the stem and outer leaves, smaller secondary heads may develop, giving you an extended harvest.

one of my favorites golden acre 

harvested this week

Enjoying Your Allotment Cabbage

From crisp coleslaw with early varieties to hearty winter stews with savoy and red cabbages, the culinary possibilities are endless. There's immense satisfaction in knowing you've grown it yourself, from a tiny seed to a magnificent head.

Happy cabbage growing on your allotment! What are your favourite cabbage varieties to grow, and any top tips to share? Let me know in the comments below!

frozen and ready for a freezer bag