Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
number of distinct varieties and are becoming fashionable again, and none more
so than the pointed sweetheart cabbages developed in the late twentieth century.
It is quite possible to grow cabbages for eating all year round outside, but the long
period of occupation of the ground coupled with the amount of space involved
puts many gardeners off. Using a quick-growing sweetheart variety in the poly-
tunnel allows you to produce tender growth quickly without the twin horrors of
cabbage root fly and pigeons, and the plants do noticeably better under cover.
'Précoce de Louviers' is particularly suitable for this since it is very fast-maturing
and has excellent flavour. If you cannot obtain this, 'Hispi' also gives very good
results, although, being an F1 hybrid, it is not suitable for seed saving.
Preparation
Like all brassicas, cabbage does not do well in acid conditions, so fork in some
compost and check the pH a month or two before sowing, and correct it to 6.5-7.0
with a dusting of lime if necessary. Never plant cabbages in soil that is too rich
in nitrogen, such as recently manured beds, because they will produce a profu-
sion of lush greenery but refuse to heart. An application of rock dust to the soil
(see Chapter 11, page 179, for further details) every few years helps with moisture
retention as well as providing a whole basket of long-acting nutrients, and few
plants will show the benefit so markedly as cabbages.
Sowing
There are considerable advantages to module sowing, since early growth is slow
and final planting distance comparatively large. Modules are also easier to protect
from all the many animals that love to eat young brassicas. Cabbage seeds will
germinate in quite low temperatures (a little bottom heat is advised if daytime
temperatures are below 13°C), although there is little point sowing at the onset of
winter. Sow two seeds per 5cm module, 1cm deep, in compost to which a dusting
of lime has been added (purchased compost tends to be a little too acid for com-
fort), nipping out the weaker plant once the first true leaves develop. Using
smaller modules simply makes work because you will need to transplant the
seedlings to a larger pot before they are ready to plant out.
'Précoce de Louviers' is ready in early spring from an autumn sowing, in early
summer from a February sowing (with heat) and in summer from a late April
sowing. To stand the best chance of hitting your desired harvest date with plants
standing over winter, we suggest two sowings a month apart.
Growing
Transplant into the soil beds when the seedlings have five leaves. Ignore the
spacings in the seed catalogues and go for around 25cm each way, aiming to
harvest every other plant for delicious, tender greens as the canopy closes over.
Leave the rest to heart up. Keep the bed well watered, particularly in hot weather,
