Self-grown cabbage is especially tasty and healthy. It awakens the appetite and replenishes our body with vitamins. Already in winter you begin to think about what to plant this year. There are many varieties of white cabbage. Choosing 2-3 varieties from hundreds is a difficult task, but even a beginner in this business can grow this vegetable.
What to look for when choosing
White cabbage varies in terms of ripening, i.e. by the number of days from sowing the seeds to the first harvest:
- early (80-110 days);
- mid-early (110-130 days);
- medium-late (130-160 days);
- late (160-180 days).
You need to choose varieties depending on the purpose of using the grown vegetable.
- Early and medium varieties are suitable for fresh consumption. Late varieties of cabbage can also be eaten raw, only its leaves are tougher.
- All varieties are suitable for cooking, frying and stewing.
- There are special varieties for sourdough. Usually these are vegetables with medium and late ripening periods.
- Only late varieties are suitable for storage.
Advice from experienced gardeners
Experienced people recommend planting both proven and new varieties for your garden. Here are their picks for 2020.
Hybrid variety Pandion F1
Dutch selection. It takes 85 days from sowing the seeds to ripening. The head of cabbage is medium dense, round in shape. Grows up to 1.5 kg. The upper leaves are light green, the middle leaves are white. The cabbage tastes juicy, sweet, tender.Consumed fresh. The first and second courses are prepared. The hybrid is resistant to disease and cracking.
June
The variety was bred in Russia. Early, 110 days pass until technical ripeness. The head is loose, round in shape, weighing up to 2 kg. The upper leaves are light green, the middle ones are creamy. The cabbage is juicy, crispy, and sweetish. Used fresh for salads. They cook soups, stew and fry. Prepares quickly. The variety is resistant to clubroot and cracking.
Slava 1305
Soviet selection. The growing season is 130 days. The head of cabbage is medium dense, flattened, weighing up to 5 kg. The inner leaves are white. The taste is sugary and juicy. Used fresh, for canning and fermenting. Slava 1305 ripens smoothly and gives a high yield. It is resistant to cracking. Disadvantages include susceptibility to certain diseases.
Hybrid SB 3
Bred by Russian breeders. Mid-late variety. From germination to harvest ripening 135 days. The head of cabbage is dense, round in shape, weighing about 4 kg. The upper leaves are bluish-green, the inside is light green. The cabbage tastes crispy, juicy, and slightly sweet. Recommended for fresh use and for fermentation. Can be stored for 2.5 – 3 months. Disease resistance is good.
Hybrid Valentina F1
Russian selection. Late ripening period (180 days). The heads of cabbage are very dense, round, elongated towards the bottom, weighing up to 4 kg. The outside of the head is green, covered with a bluish waxy coating. White inside. The taste is wonderful in salads, solyanka, and sourdough. The hybrid is resistant to disease, cracking, and frost.Stored until the end of June.
Hybrid Aggressor F1
Country of origin: Holland. The period from sowing seeds to readiness is 150 days. The heads of cabbage are round, slightly flattened, dense, weighing up to 6 kg. The color of cabbage is bright green with a bluish tinge. The leaves are creamy white inside. The taste exceeds all expectations. Cabbage is crunchy, very juicy, with a high content of sugars. Fresh foliage is a pleasure to eat. It is also good when fermented and after cooking. Stored until the end of winter. The hybrid is not susceptible to diseases.
In your garden it would be good to sow varieties with different ripening periods. There is less early production, and more for salting and storage. Then you will be able to enjoy cabbage all year round.
Good choice and high yields!
Just wonderful tips and help for inexperienced gardeners, thank you.