Winter Cabbage – How to Grow and Enjoy This Hardy Crop
Introduction
As the seasons change and temperatures drop, many gardeners assume that the vegetable patch must lie dormant until spring. However, winter cabbage is one of the hardy exceptions that thrives in cooler conditions, offering a continuous supply of nutritious, homegrown produce during the chilliest months of the year. Whether you are an experienced gardener or a complete beginner, learning how to grow winter cabbage will not only reward you with delicious harvests but also help you make the most of your garden year-round.
Winter cabbage, which includes varieties such as Savoy, January King, and other cold-tolerant greens, is perfectly adapted to the UK climate. These cabbages flourish in the cooler temperatures of autumn and winter, providing nutrient-packed leaves that are ideal for hearty stews, braises, and salads. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of growing winter cabbage—from selecting the right variety, preparing your soil, sowing and nurturing seedlings, through to harvesting, storage, and cooking tips. By the end, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to make winter cabbage a reliable and welcome addition to your garden and kitchen.
What Makes Winter Cabbage Unique?
While most vegetables wind down their growing cycle with the onset of autumn, winter cabbages are just getting started. These robust brassicas are bred for resilience. They tolerate frosty nights, chilly winds, and less intense sunlight, making them an invaluable crop for extending your harvest season. Beyond their hardiness, winter cabbages boast dense, nutritious leaves packed with vitamins C and K, dietary fiber, and essential minerals. Their flavor is often enhanced by the frost, resulting in sweeter leaves and a more complex taste profile.
Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book
Are you starting an allotment or planning on growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a kitchen garden? If so we highly recommend the book Allotment Month By Month. This does exactly what it does on the cover to help you with what you should be doing in the allotment and kitchen garden each month. Below you can see the link for Amazon where you can purchase the book directly. This book is extremely popular with all allotment holders as you will read in the reviews:-
You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.
Top Winter Cabbage Varieties to Consider
1. Savoy Cabbage:
Savoy cabbage is easily recognized by its crinkled, dark green leaves and mild, slightly nutty flavor. It’s a winter staple that performs well in the UK’s cooler months. It’s delicious raw in salads, sautéed, or as a hearty addition to soups.
2. January King:
One of the most popular winter cabbages, January King is known for its stunning green-and-purple leaves and a robust, sweet taste. This semi-savoyed cabbage stands out for its decorative appearance and exceptional cold tolerance.
3. Winter Green:
Also known as Spring Greens if harvested earlier, Winter Green cabbages form loose heads with sweet, tender leaves. They’re perfect for harvesting leaf-by-leaf, providing a steady supply of greens.
4. Tundra F1:
This hybrid cabbage is bred for extreme hardiness and reliability, making it ideal for UK gardens. Its dense, solid heads store well and offer a crisp, mild flavor.
Preparing the Soil for Winter Cabbage
1. Soil Quality:
Winter cabbages thrive in well-draining, loamy soil with a pH range of 6.5-7.0. Perform a soil test to ensure the pH is suitable. If your soil is too acidic, adding lime can help balance the pH.
2. Add Organic Matter:
Before planting, enrich the soil with plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost. This not only improves soil fertility but also enhances moisture retention and overall soil structure. Cabbages are heavy feeders and will appreciate nutrient-rich soil to support their growth during cooler months.
3. Crop Rotation:
To minimize the risk of pests and diseases, practice a 3-4 year crop rotation. Avoid planting cabbages in soil where other brassicas (like broccoli, kale, or cauliflower) have recently grown. Rotating crops reduces the likelihood of soil-borne diseases and nutrient depletion.
When and How to Sow Winter Cabbage Seeds
1. Sowing Timelines:
For a winter harvest, you’ll typically sow your cabbage seeds in mid-spring to early summer. Different varieties may have slightly different sowing times, so check seed packets for guidance. After germination, seedlings will be ready to transplant into their final position in late summer or early autumn, ensuring they mature into winter.
2. Seed Starting Techniques:
It’s often best to start cabbage seeds in modules or seed trays. Fill trays with a high-quality seed compost, sow seeds about 1cm deep, and lightly cover with compost. Water gently and keep the trays in a bright, sheltered spot. Germination usually takes 7-14 days at around 10-15°C.
3. Hardening Off:
Once seedlings have two or three true leaves, gradually acclimatize them to outdoor conditions. Place them outside for a few hours each day, increasing the time spent outdoors over a week or two. This hardening off process helps seedlings adjust to cooler temperatures and variable weather.
Transplanting Winter Cabbage into the Garden
1. Spacing Requirements:
When your seedlings are around 10-15cm tall and have a sturdy set of leaves, they’re ready to be transplanted. Space winter cabbages about 45-60cm apart, with rows at least 60cm apart. Adequate spacing ensures good air circulation, reducing the risk of fungal diseases and giving each plant plenty of room to develop a dense head.
2. Planting Depth and Technique:
Dig holes slightly deeper than the seedling’s root ball. Firm the soil around the roots to provide support, and water thoroughly to settle the soil. Add a layer of mulch around the seedlings to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
3. Protection from Pests:
Young cabbage plants can attract pests like pigeons, who find the tender leaves irresistible. Covering seedlings with a fine mesh net or horticultural fleece can protect them from birds and insects during their vulnerable early stages.
Feeding and Watering Your Winter Cabbages
1. Consistent Moisture:
While cabbages appreciate moisture, they dislike waterlogged conditions. Aim for consistent watering, providing about 2.5cm of water per week if rainfall is insufficient. Check the soil regularly—if it feels dry an inch below the surface, it’s time to water.
2. Feeding Regimen:
As heavy feeders, winter cabbages benefit from regular feeding. Incorporate a balanced fertilizer at the time of transplanting. As the season progresses, a high-nitrogen organic feed can help develop lush foliage. Just be mindful not to over-fertilize, as excessive nitrogen can lead to overly lush growth susceptible to pests and diseases.
Managing Common Winter Cabbage Pests and Diseases
1. Cabbage White Butterfly:
Cabbage white butterfly larvae (caterpillars) can cause significant damage by munching through leaves. Preventative measures include covering plants with fine mesh or fleece. If you spot caterpillars, pick them off by hand or use an organic insecticidal spray approved for brassicas.
2. Clubroot:
A common soil-borne disease affecting brassicas, clubroot causes distorted and stunted roots. Preventing clubroot involves maintaining a slightly alkaline soil pH, practicing good crop rotation, and removing infected plants immediately to stop further spread.
3. Slugs and Snails:
These pests can thrive in damp, cool conditions. Use organic slug pellets, set beer traps, or encourage natural predators like hedgehogs and frogs to keep their population in check. Removing debris and keeping the area around your cabbages tidy also helps reduce slug habitats.
Caring for Your Winter Cabbages as Temperatures Drop
1. Frost Tolerance:
Winter cabbages are naturally frost-hardy. In fact, a light frost can improve their flavor. However, prolonged severe freezing conditions may cause damage. Providing a fleece covering or straw mulch around the base of the plants can offer additional protection during extremely cold spells.
2. Wind Protection:
High winds can loosen soil and damage outer leaves. Positioning a windbreak—such as a hedge or a makeshift screen—around your winter cabbages can help them weather harsh gales.
3. Weed Control:
Weeds compete for nutrients and water, so keep the area around your cabbages weed-free. Hand-weeding or using a hoe is generally enough to maintain a tidy bed, especially if you applied mulch during planting.
Harvesting Winter Cabbage
1. Timing Your Harvest:
Winter cabbages are generally ready to harvest several months after transplanting, depending on the variety. A Savoy cabbage may take about 4-5 months, while January King could require a bit longer. The heads should feel firm, and the outer leaves should be crisp and vibrant.
2. Harvesting Techniques:
Use a sharp knife to cut the cabbage head at the base, leaving the outer leaves and roots in the ground. In some cases, leaving the stump behind can result in additional mini cabbages forming around it—an added bonus later in the season.
3. Harvest in Stages:
If you have multiple cabbages ready at once, you don’t need to harvest them all immediately. Cabbages can often be left in the ground for a little longer, as the cold weather helps maintain their freshness. Harvest as needed to ensure the leaves remain crisp and flavorful.
Proper Storage and Use in the Kitchen
1. Storing Your Harvest:
If you can’t consume all your cabbages right away, store them in a cool, dark place—like a garage or shed—ideally at temperatures around 0-5°C. When stored correctly, winter cabbages can remain fresh for several weeks, making them an excellent source of winter greens.
2. Cooking Suggestions:
Winter cabbage is incredibly versatile in the kitchen. It can be shredded for salads or slaws, stir-fried, braised, or added to soups and stews. Try roasting wedges of Savoy cabbage with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet, caramelized treat. The sturdy leaves also make fantastic cabbage rolls filled with savoury mixtures of meat, grains, and spices.
Benefits of Growing Winter Cabbage
1. Extended Growing Season:
By learning how to grow winter cabbage, you can effectively extend your growing season, ensuring that you have fresh, homegrown produce even when most other crops have finished.
2. Nutritional Powerhouse:
Rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, winter cabbage is a great addition to a balanced diet. Its nutrient content can help support the immune system, particularly important during the colder months.
3. Reduced Environmental Impact:
When you grow your own cabbages, you reduce reliance on imported produce that travels long distances. Homegrown winter vegetables help minimize your carbon footprint and contribute to more sustainable eating habits.
Conclusion
Winter cabbage is a rewarding, resilient crop that can help you harvest delicious greens long after most other vegetables have succumbed to the cold. By selecting the right variety, preparing your soil, sowing seeds at the correct time, and offering proper care and protection, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying sweet, nutritious cabbages throughout the darkest, coldest months of the year.
Whether you’re savoring them in a warm winter stew or shredding them into a crunchy raw salad, the flavor of homegrown cabbage is hard to beat. Best of all, you’ll gain valuable experience in cool-season gardening, building confidence and inspiring you to explore more winter-hardy crops next season. Embrace the year-round potential of your garden, and let winter cabbage guide you towards a truly four-season harvest.
Top 10 Questions and Answers About Growing Winter Cabbage
- Can I grow winter cabbage in containers?
Yes. Opt for a large container with at least 30cm depth. Use nutrient-rich compost, keep it well-watered, and ensure good drainage. Container-grown cabbages need more frequent feeding and watering but can thrive on patios or balconies. - What’s the best time to sow winter cabbage seeds?
Generally, sow seeds in mid-spring to early summer. Transplant seedlings into their final position by late summer so they can mature into winter. - How do I prevent pests like cabbage white caterpillars?
Use fine mesh netting over your cabbages from the start to prevent butterflies from laying eggs. Regular checks, handpicking caterpillars, and encouraging natural predators help keep them in check. - Do winter cabbages need full sun?
Winter cabbages grow best in full sun (at least 6 hours per day), but they are more tolerant of partial shade than some summer crops. Adequate sunlight ensures strong, healthy heads. - Why are my cabbages not forming tight heads?
Loose heads can be caused by insufficient spacing, poor soil nutrition, or irregular watering. Ensure proper spacing, provide enough nutrients, and maintain consistent moisture levels. - Is frost beneficial for winter cabbage?
A light frost can actually improve the flavor, making the leaves sweeter. Winter cabbages are bred to withstand frost, so a mild chill is nothing to worry about. - How long do winter cabbages take to mature?
Maturity times vary by variety. Most winter cabbages are ready 4-6 months after transplanting. Check seed packets for specific growing times. - Can I save seeds from winter cabbages for next year?
Cabbages are biennial plants that produce seeds in their second year. If you allow a cabbage to overwinter and flower the following spring, you can collect seeds. Keep in mind, they may cross-pollinate with other brassicas, affecting seed purity. - Do I need to rotate winter cabbages with other crops?
Yes. A strict rotation helps prevent soil-borne diseases like clubroot. Avoid planting cabbages in the same spot where other brassicas have grown in the past 3-4 years. - How do I store harvested cabbages?
Store them in a cool, dark area with good ventilation. Winter cabbages can remain fresh for several weeks. Remove any damaged outer leaves and avoid washing before storage.
Gardening With Ben Podcasts
If you love podcasts and are passionate about gardening, why not tune in to Gardening with Ben’s Allotment Podcasts? Packed with tips, inspiration, and plenty of down-to-earth advice, Ben’s podcasts are perfect for anyone looking to get the most out of their garden or allotment.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, Gardening with Ben covers a wide range of topics to keep you informed and motivated. From seasonal planting guides and pest control tips to creating a wildlife-friendly space, there’s something for everyone. Each episode is filled with Ben’s friendly, relatable charm, making it feel like you’re chatting with a gardening buddy.
Don’t miss out on the latest episode below, where Ben shares his insights on what to plant this month, how to prepare your soil, and creative ways to make the most of the colder seasons. It’s the perfect companion for your next cup of tea or a relaxing moment in your gardening shed.
You can also listen to Gardening with Ben’s podcasts on your favorite platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Prefer hands-free? Simply ask Alexa, “Play Gardening with Ben,” and you’ll be ready to dig into the latest episode.
So, if you’re looking for gardening inspiration, practical advice, or just a bit of friendly encouragement to get your hands dirty, tune in to Gardening with Ben’s Allotment Podcasts. It’s your perfect gardening companion, wherever you are! 🌱🎧