Growing, caring for and harvesting pointed cabbage
General information on pointed cabbage
The slender variety of white cabbage offers many advantages: pointed cabbage is particularly tender and well tolerated. It is also ideal for smaller gardens, as it does not take up as much space as other types of cabbage. You can also make delicious sauerkraut with pointed cabbage.
Direct sowing or pre-breeding?
- If you want to harvest in May, you should start pre-breeding in January. Pre-cultivation is also possible in February and March on the windowsill. In this case, early varieties (e.g. 'Erstling') should be selected
- Place seeds 1 - 2 cm/0.4 - 0.8 in deep in seedling pots or multi-plates and keep them evenly moist
- Germination temperature: 16 - 20 ° C/62 - 68 ° F
- Planting out is possible from March. In colder periods, the young plants should be covered with a fleece at night. Planting distance for early cabbage: 40 x 40 cm/15.8 x 15.8 in
- Direct sowing of early cabbage from April to the beginning of May. For late varieties from July to August. Planting distance here: 50 x 50 cm/19.7 x 19.7 in. Prick out approximately one month after sowing.
Fertilization
- Prepare the beds with organic fertilizers such as manure and horn meal. Compost alone is often not enough for cabbage
- A thick layer of mulch (approx. 15 cm/5.9 in) ensures even moisture in the soil and provides additional nutrients
- Fertilize several times during growth with nettle slurry or organic liquid fertilizer.
Harvest & store
- Harvest time from May to December
- Either cut off the stalk below the head with a knife or dig up the entire plant with root
- Remove the root to prevent the spread of disease
- Pointed cabbage can be stored in a damp cloth in the refrigerator for a maximum of 1 - 2 weeks
- Freeze only with blanched leaves
- Can be processed into sauerkraut
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