Cool cabbages

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Generally favouring cool weather, Cabbage grows sweeter after being kissed by frost

Written records indicate the existence of cabbage as early as 600 BC, though it didn’t show up in North America until the 16th century.

Asian cooks stir-fry it, Irish folks use it in “bubble and squeak,” Czechs make zelisalat. There are cabbage rolls, coleslaw, sauerkraut, beet and cabbage borscht – or simple steamed cabbage adorned with butter, salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon.

We can grow and enjoy hundreds of varieties of cabbage, from rumpled Savoy to giant purple ‘January King’, and from pointed heirloom types to huge flattened heads bred in Taiwan. Home gardeners will find it easiest to seed transplants in sterile starter mix in early spring, providing a little bottom heat.

Plant out to rich soil in full sun when danger of hard frost is past, adding a handful of lime beneath each plant to ward off clubroot. Floating row covers may be useful to protect plants from cabbage moth.

Overwintering types should be seeded in July (avoid growing Brassica family members in the same beds year after year).

Cabbage generally favours cool weather, growing sweeter after being kissed by frost.