Ballhead cabbages

[Ginamccon]

This year is the first time I’ve grown ball head cabbages, both red and green, with the idea of winter storage. They have headed up and are bowling ball size. How do you know when they are ready to harvest and not going past their best? I ask because one head has split like the outside layers can’t take the growth of the inner ones. Sadly I think their ready too early for my goal of winter coleslaw.

[charles]

 Interesting… I think the hot summer has brought them on early, possibly a lack of rain has encouraged early maturity but they should stand, mostly, until cutting in October. However you need to eat any which split.

Did you sow in May (not April)? Variety?

[Ginamccon]

Sorry for the late reply, I’ve been away for 2 days. I sowed them early may and planted them early June. They are ‘red jewel’ and ‘attraction’. I harvested the split one today and was really suprised at how heavy it is for its size. I’m hoping the others won’t split and will stand till October.

[Author]

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