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No heart cabbage and Kale

TyCerrigTyCerrig Posts: 61
in Fruit & veg

Hi there, would anyone be able to tell me why green cabbage I planted as plugs last October have never formed hearts and are no just lots of large green leaves. Should I cut my losses, pull them up and plant/sow something else? I also planted kale at the same time and they have started to bolt so I cut the heads off and started eating them on Sunday, but they had quite a bitter after-taste - have I lost these too? You can tell I am a novice veggie grower!

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,146

    With the cabbage it could depend on what variety they are.

    You could probably have been eating your kale for a couple of months ... it doesn't heart up like a cabbage, you just take the leaves off.  Afraid they will be bitter after running to flower.  Better luck next year image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • TyCerrigTyCerrig Posts: 61

    Thanks Dovefromabove. The label just says "Green Cabbage" - not very helpful! How long should I leave them before I pull them up and start again? It's all a big learning curve! I have had success though with potatoes, runner beans, spinach, rocket and spring onion, so it hasn't all been a total disaster!. Have just sown parsnip, more spring onion and potatoes and bought sweetcorn seeds for sowing next month - enjoying every minute, even though I only have 2 small raised beds image

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,146

    You could try cutting the cabbage leaves and using them as spring greens. image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114

    If the cabbage didn't make hearts it is usually because they were not planted firmly enough in firm soil.

  • TyCerrigTyCerrig Posts: 61

    OK, thanks. It seems that I need to remove and try again. Is it considered "cheating" to buy plugs, rather than seed?

  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093

    nope. Just more expensive. A sensible short cut for many who either don't have the time or space to raise seedlings image

    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • TyCerrigTyCerrig Posts: 61

    I have now sown carrots, leeks, onions and parsnips, all as seed, directly into the ground. Will sow Kale and sweetcorn next month. If these are not successful, I may move over to plugs

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