Grow Your Own Magazine

Hello all, it's me again!

I have a little question about my summer cabbages: It's my first year growing these!!

Should my summer (pointed) cabbage "Greyhound" be out in the ground by now, and if not, how tall should they be before I plant them out?? They look good and healthy, but some have wonky stems, could I just bury these when I plant out??

Sorry for all the questions all at once!!

Jennifer

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Whilst typing the above reply, I was probably supposed to be doing homework. My excuse: I'm hooked!

Hi GG21
lYeah, I would plant them out as soon as you get the chance. The wonky stems are a sure indication that they should be in the ground - generally speaking mine go in when they have four to six true leaves - sometimes sooner, sometimes later depending on circumstances - how busy I am (or how behind I am - you choose !) and the weather being the main ones that will affect this.
You can plant them a bit deeper - so that the bend in the stem is not going to be a problem when the plant gets bigger - just make sure that your growing point (the bit where the leaves sprout from) is above the ground.
Hope this helps

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Thanks, that's exactly what i needed to know!!

Jennifer

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Whilst typing the above reply, I was probably supposed to be doing homework. My excuse: I'm hooked!

Definitely need to be in the ground, plant them deep up to the first leaves and really firm in. Don't forget to put collars round them or you could loose the lot to the dreaded cabbage root fly. I picked my first greyhound today, not huge but big enough for the two of us.

Ian

i have planted a good variety of cabbages the earlier ones were a bit nibbled by the pigeons but i think that the outer leaves were affected, does the heart form at the beginning or as the plants get bigger the outside leaves seem to be getting quite big and look healthy enough but should i be seeing the heart forming? also if the pigeons have damaged the hearts can the rest of the leaves still be eaten or is the cabbage no good?

The heart doesn't form until the outer leaves are a fair size, I think. This is my first year with cabbages, we planted them out in late April and they are just starting to form hearts now, but still just small, you can only see them if you move aside the outer leaves.

The rest of the leaves can be eaten even if there is no heart - just call them greens instead

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