Winter Cabbage

Question 1

Explain site selection and soil requirements for winter cabbages.

Answer 1

• Well-drained, moisture-retentive, fertile soil
• Full sun to half shade
• Don’t like fresh manure
• Clay to loamy clay is best
• Require a firm seedbed
• Apply garden lime at 300-400g/m2 before cultivation to get pH below 6.5 (prevents clubroot).

Question 2

Explain cultivation of soil for winter cabbages.

Answer 2

• Prepare soil well in advance as they don’t like freshly manured soil
• Dig in well-rotted organic matter in autumn
• Prepare a seedbed (to a fine tilth) separate to the plot into which they’ll be transplanted
• Pay particular attention to irrigation of young plants, keeping them well watered until established
• Apply nitrogen fertiliser like Hoof & Horn at 130g/m2 in late summer if required
• Hoe frequently between plants
• Can benefit from mulch in summer.

Question 3

Explain sowing of winter cabbage.

Answer 3

• Seed sown thinly in May
• Seedbed drills of 13mm deep
• Rows 15cm apart
• Water thoroughly prior to sowing
• Thin seedlings to 7cm apart
• Take 10-14 days to germinate
• Plant out when 10-15cm high
• Space 45cm apart in rows 60cm apart

INDOORS

• Can be sown in unheated glasshouse or polytunnel
• Sow in trays in loam-based compost
• Prick out into individual modules
• Plant out when 10cm high.

Question 4

Explain harvesting of winter cabbage.

Answer 4

Individual heads are cut as required throughout the winter months.

Question 5

Name a pest and a disease of winter cabbage, including symptoms and control methods.

Answer 5

Clubroot

• Slimy mouldy fungus, particularly effects seedlings
• Reduced vigour, chlorosis, wilting, distorted roots
• Improve drainage; Apply lime on acid soils.

Cabbage White Butterfly

• 25cm long yellow or green caterpilar with black markings
• Defoliate plants quickly
• Encourage birds; introduce predatory wasp; use pyrethroids; use netting; use insecticide; remove eggs.

Question 6

Name three cultivars of winter cabbage.

Answer 6

• ‘Duncan’ F1
• ‘Regency’ F1
• ‘Red Rookie’ F1.