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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Suffolklad on October 15, 2007, 17:27:32

Title: Cabbage help
Post by: Suffolklad on October 15, 2007, 17:27:32
We like Stonehead cabbage, but if I follow the planting instructions they are ready before we reach the stage of wanting them and just rot, burst, or get fed to the chickens/goats.  If I plant them a couple of months later will they be ready later, or will they just catch up, as so many late sowings do.... ?

Or can anybody suggest a similar sort of cabbage that would be ready November - January please
Title: Re: Cabbage help
Post by: calendula on October 15, 2007, 17:36:09
I never grow summer cabbages for precisely that reason - too much else to be had but yes you could try a later sowing (not too late though) or opt for a autumn or winter harvesting one and if you prefer the ball heads then there are so many to choose from - primo is a favourite but it depends what you like to do with your cabbages - recipes that is  ;D
Title: Re: Cabbage help
Post by: cornykev on October 15, 2007, 20:59:14
Stagger the sowing Suffolk.  ??? ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Cabbage help
Post by: Tee Gee on October 16, 2007, 13:45:45
I grow a variety named 'Tundra' for this very reason, backed up with a Savoy.

The savoy I grow is Wintessa and have done for the last few years (thats how long the packet has lasted),this year I am going to try Ormskirk, can't get Wintessa from my normal source.

By the way you still have to sow them June/July but they hold well.

It is not unusual for me to be eating them in March.
Title: Re: Cabbage help
Post by: powerspade on October 16, 2007, 15:28:09
I always sow Mincole, as they stand for a couple of months without bursting and they have excellent flavour
Title: Re: Cabbage help
Post by: davyW on October 16, 2007, 15:42:18
Like TEE GEE i grow Tundra and have been growing Ormskirk for a few years now, the only fault with the latter is they feed four ( families that is ). Other than these two i tend to favor growing spring cabbage all year round.
Title: Re: Cabbage help
Post by: LesH on October 25, 2007, 22:43:36
     January king December & January
     Christmas drumhead > October to December
    Celtic > November onwards
     Tundra > November to April
    Holland Late Winter > November onwards
Title: Re: Cabbage help
Post by: Suffolklad on October 26, 2007, 09:10:08
Quote from: LesH on October 25, 2007, 22:43:36
Tundra > November to April

Thanks for all your replies.
I think I am leaning towards Tundra as it seems to be the sort of cabbage we like.
Will I need to sow successionally to harvest Nov to April, or do they stand well ?
Title: Re: Cabbage help
Post by: LesH on October 30, 2007, 22:07:36
       The information I have on Tundra is as follows, Very frost hardy.
Matures quickly. sow May to July. ready in November, but holds until April.
great flavour. I only sow in one go, middle of May and plant out by the longest day, June 21st.
Title: Re: Cabbage help
Post by: Froglegs on October 31, 2007, 01:43:31
Quote from: powerspade on October 16, 2007, 15:28:09
I always sow Mincole, as they stand for a couple of months without bursting and they have excellent flavour

I will second that. :)
Title: Re: Cabbage help
Post by: saddad on October 31, 2007, 07:39:46
We use Tundra and Minicole, as well as lots of others, for the reasons others have stated but have had more cabbage than we can shake a stick at this year... so some are bursting now...
Our January King are doing well  ;D