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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Diana on February 02, 2006, 17:52:45

Title: Spring Cabbage
Post by: Diana on February 02, 2006, 17:52:45
In the new issue of Kitchen Garden, they have a sowing guide (very useful), but is says you can sow Spring Cabbages in Jan + Feb.

Is this right? I thought they had to be sown in Autumn + planted out over winter (it does mention autumn too).

I only ask as if it is OK to sow some now I'll get on with it, I just though I was too late.

Any suggestions?

D :)
Title: Re: Spring Cabbage
Post by: tim on February 02, 2006, 18:03:33
Spring will be a little late this year??

I'm surprised - summer cabbages next month, but spring late summer to autumn - to my mind.
Title: Re: Spring Cabbage
Post by: busy_lizzie on February 02, 2006, 18:18:01
Surprised too! I noticed with some of their other suggestions for planting, they recommended planting times probably too early for our part of the country (N.E.). I find they are only a guide sometimes, and you have to use your own discretion for some things.  You can never judge how long the winter will last and each part of the country can be different weatherwise. Last Spring we had quite a lot of late frosts so things went in much later. busy_lizzie
Title: Re: Spring Cabbage
Post by: Diana on February 02, 2006, 18:19:41
Thanks Tim - that's what I thought

BL - I agree. Ususally make it up as I go along + get by OK ::)
Title: Re: Spring Cabbage
Post by: derbex on February 02, 2006, 21:12:49
Well I'm trying it -Hispi is the variety- and you need to start it off in the warm. Mine came uo in a few days.

I don't think it's a traditional spring cabbage -just a fast maturing one.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Spring Cabbage
Post by: tim on February 03, 2006, 07:29:01
Well - you learn every day??

"How to grow indoors: Sow in February in gentle heat or September-October. Overwinter in a cold frame and plant out in spring."

And, of course, 'Spring Greens' are great - especially for Chinese 'Seaweed'?
Title: Re: Spring Cabbage
Post by: Diana on February 03, 2006, 08:55:59
Thank you.

I think I'll try - after all, if they don't reach maturity - as you say Tim - spring greens are great
Title: Re: Spring Cabbage
Post by: jennym on February 03, 2006, 14:45:41
Not really a spring variety, but we had some Greyhound last year in May that had been sown in early February.
Title: Re: Spring Cabbage
Post by: redimp on February 03, 2006, 18:48:26
I havce got Greyhound and Wheeler's Imperial over wintering at them moment - planted late summer early spring.  I also have a couple of other varities given me by my dad - one is a dwarf one and the other is Durham Early.
Title: Re: Spring Cabbage
Post by: theothermarg on February 04, 2006, 17:17:48
? I read that too ,panicked couldn't find the seeds Inew I had then
remembered i'd grown them in the autumn and they were under their nets up the lottie they belong    :P
I think I'll go and hav e a nice cup of tea and recover from my senior moment
Title: Re: Spring Cabbage
Post by: MattyJC on February 04, 2006, 17:23:52
My spring cabbage will be heading for the compost heap very soon....unless they have a growth spurt, it was my first year for growing them, planted in the autumn then they just seem to have sat there and done nothing  :( can anyone tell me if they will improve or is it too late?? cant remember the variety, seem to have thrown the packet out!

Thanks for your advice, as always..I will try and keep you posted!

Matt
Title: Re: Spring Cabbage
Post by: RSJK on February 04, 2006, 17:26:08
Yes they are correct spring cabbage can be grown allmost all year round now. There are a lot of good F1 varieties about nowdays, Duncan being one of them and there is a good one available from Moles seeds called Spitfire.
Title: Re: Spring Cabbage
Post by: Curryandchips on February 04, 2006, 17:28:11
Durham early is the only variety I have, but I may as well give them a try ...
Title: Re: Spring Cabbage
Post by: growmore on February 04, 2006, 18:32:03
Leave em be Matty they should start growing as soon as weather warms up .What variety were they? ..Cheers ..Jim
Title: Re: Spring Cabbage
Post by: Debs on February 05, 2006, 16:23:06
Quote from: tim on February 03, 2006, 07:29:01
Well - you learn every day??

"How to grow indoors: Sow in February in gentle heat or September-October. Overwinter in a cold frame and plant out in spring."

...presumably it's because the autumn sown will be slower to take due to

colder temp and the feb grown are cossetted with a little heat??

.....just a guess, wouldn't know meself, as I've never grown them, but do

like spring greens :P

Debs