When should I sow cabbage in the UK?

Depends on which season you want to harvest. Spring cabbage: July–August (transplant September; harvest the following March–May). Summer cabbage: March–May (harvest June–August). Autumn cabbage: April–May (harvest September–November). Winter cabbage: April–May (harvest December–February). Successional sowings within each window every 3 weeks for continuous picking.

Why are my cabbages splitting open?

Sudden heavy rain after dry weather, or simply leaving heads past their prime. The plant takes up water faster than the head can expand and the leaves split. Pick summer cabbages promptly when firm; for autumn and winter cabbages, the slow growth through cool weather rarely causes splits. To save a damaged head, cut immediately and use within a few days.

What's the difference between summer, autumn, and winter cabbages?

Summer cabbages (Hispi, Greyhound): fast-growing, tender loose-leaved or pointed types; don't store well; eat fresh. Autumn cabbages (Marabel, Autoro): firmer, larger, store 4–6 weeks. Winter cabbages (January King, Tundra): very hardy, dense heads that stand outdoors all winter; classic for storage and braising. Spring cabbages are pointed loose-headed types picked young as spring greens or hearted later.

What's the difference between green, red, and savoy cabbage?

All are Brassica oleracea var. capitata (same species, same general care). Green cabbage is the standard type. Red cabbage (Red Drumhead) has purple-red leaves with the same general care; stores particularly well. Savoy cabbage (technically Brassica oleracea var. sabauda — separate slug `savoy-cabbage` in this content set) has crinkled leaves and is hardier than green types. All net against the same pests.

How do I stop cabbage root fly?

Use a 15 cm cardboard collar around the base of each transplant (cut a slit in a cardboard disc and fit it round the stem). The fly lays eggs at soil level next to the stem; the collar prevents this. Brassica root collars made of carpet underlay or pond liner work too. Most damage is to younger plants; established plants tolerate some root damage.

Can I grow cabbages in containers?

Possible but underwhelming. Small varieties (Hispi, Greyhound) in 30-litre containers crop, but yield is modest and the heads tend to be smaller. Use peat-free compost; water consistently; feed weekly. Net against cabbage white even in containers. Use bed space if you have it.

Kapusta

Brassica oleracea var. capitata

Sow cabbage seed across four overlapping seasons for year-round harvest: spring cabbage (sow July–August, harvest March–May), summer cabbage (sow March–May, harvest June–August), autumn cabbage (sow April–May, harvest September–November), winter cabbage (sow April–May, harvest December–February). Cabbages are hardy (RHS H5; winter cultivars H6) and reliable in UK conditions provided you net against cabbage white in summer and pigeons in winter. Plant 45 cm apart in firm fertile soil; firm the soil hard around each plant — like Brussels sprouts they sulk in loose ground. Cut when heads are firm to the touch. Winter cultivars (January King, Tundra) stand outdoors right through to spring; summer cultivars must be cut and used promptly or they split.

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