<p>140 days. Vigorous big plants make Red Rodan one of the easier cabbages to grow. The solid, round red heads average 20-25cm (8-10 in.) in diameter and are surprisingly tender for a variety that often can stand outside until March. Danish seed.</p><p>CULTURE: Like the other cole crops, cabbages can be started as transplants or planted outside. Cabbage is a hardy, cool-season crop that does best under uniform, cool, moist conditions. Sow summer cabbage varieties March through June. Since the earliest direct seeding may fail in a cold, rainy spring, transplants work best. Start 6 weeks before the last frost. The later-maturing types must be started mid- May/early June to allow the heads to form during the relative cool of the fall. Time the sowing of fall and winter cabbage plants so that they mature before the first hard frost. Although they will withstand wide temperature variations, the optimum temperature range for growth is between 13-18 deg. C (55-64 deg. F). Fertility requirements for cabbages are relatively high: 11/2 cups of complete organic fertilizer worked into the soil around each plant will provide the nutrition necessary for large heads. The preferred pH is 6.5, so add a cup of dolomite lime to each sq. yard of row; 2.5-4cm of water per week is required for uninterrupted growth. When direct sown, plant the seed 1cm deep, 5 seeds per 30cm. Thinned or transplanted plant spacing should be: for small-framed summer types 45cm (18 in.) apart; for large-framed, late-maturing types 60cm (24 in.) apart. Sow different varieties to give a long harvest or re-sow in 8 weeks. <br>DISEASE: Club root is the most serious disease in all brassicas. It will persist in the soil for more than 10 years. The common sources of infection are through transplants, manure, and contaminated tools and shoes. IT IS NOT SPREAD ON SEED. Increasing pH to 7.0 with dolomite lime and improving the drainage will prevent infection. Use long rotations (over 5 years) and plant brassicas in last year’s potato patch. <br>INSECTS: IMPORTED CABBAGEWORM: The damage is done by the larval form of the pretty little white butterfly that flits around the garden in the spring. She lays tiny white eggs on the underside of cole plants; they should be knocked off. Floating row covers prevent the butterfly from laying eggs. Once the caterpillar starts eating, the holes can be seen if the plants are inspected regularly. The green caterpillar will be stationary on the underside of the leaf and can be squished. Small plants are the most vulnerable and need this attention from you. Undisturbed, the caterpillars grow rapidly and can do serious damage. If you use BT remember to spray the underside of the leaves. <br>HARVEST: The fast-growing early types split easily so they must be harvested promptly. Cutting the roots or twisting the plant to break some roots will delay splitting for a while. These earlies will hold in storage for 1 or 2 months. Later types, maturing in the late summer or fall when growth rates are slower, will stand in the garden longer, and the late storage types will keep in a refrigerator for up to 6 months. When cutting the cabbage from the root, leave some wrapper leaves to protect the head from bruising. Eat damaged cabbage first and store only the best.</p><p>The cabbage is an under-rated vegetable these days. We forget how tasty they are when shredded in green salads, not just in coleslaw. Sauted shredded purple cabbage with chopped onions and apples, some vinegar, and sugar to taste, makes a wonderful dish! And they are so easy to grow. Why not try a few plants this year? Cabbages are classified by when you eat them. Summer cabbage is sown March through June and eaten two months later. There are three distinct types of late cabbages: (A) Fall varieties which are planted in late May and transplanted in June or July to mature in September and October; (B) Winter varieties which are planted in May or June and transplanted in July to mature in winter; and (C) Spring varieties which are planted in July to be transplanted by August 7 and are ready next March and April.</p>
