Red Scarvita Cabbage

$5.99

Ingenious plant breeding has produced this amazing red sui choi (napa cabbage). The leaves are red throughout, but never bitter in this upright fall harvest wonder. Sow Red Scarvita several times starting June 15 for harvests from September to November. The leaves look incredible in salads and they keep their colour when lightly cooked. Lightweight row cover is recommended, as this beauty gets sown at the peak of the small white butterfly (cabbage moth) population. A simple physical barrier will prevent insect damage.

Matures in 75 days. (Hybrid seeds)

Approximately 20 Seeds

In stock

Description

Ingenious plant breeding has produced this amazing red sui choi (napa cabbage). The leaves are red throughout, but never bitter in this upright fall harvest wonder. Sow Red Scarvita several times starting June 15 for harvests from September to November. The leaves look incredible in salads and they keep their colour when lightly cooked. Lightweight row cover is recommended, as this beauty gets sown at the peak of the small white butterfly (cabbage moth) population. A simple physical barrier will prevent insect damage.

Matures in 75 days. (Hybrid seeds)

Approximately 20 Seeds

Difficulty
Moderately difficult

Season & Zone

Season: Cool season
Exposure: Full-sun

Timing

Sow indoors beginning in late winter and transplant outdoors from 2 weeks after the last frost date to early summer. Overwintering cabbage is sown outdoors during July where winters are mild. Optimal soil temperature: 10-30°C (50-85°F). Seeds should germinate in 7-10 days.

Starting

When learning how to grow cabbage, sow 3 or 4 seeds per pot, 5mm (¼”) deep, under very bright light. Thin to the strongest plant. Space transplants 45-60cm (18-24″) apart in rows 60-90cm (24-36″) apart.

Days to Maturity

From transplant date.

Growing

Ideal pH: 6.5-7.0. Cabbage does best in humus-rich soil amended with composted manure. Mix ½ cup complete organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each transplant. If growth slows, side dress with a little more balanced organic fertilizer. Heads of early varieties can split from over-maturity, rapid growth after heavy rain, or irrigation after dry spells. Splits can be delayed by twisting the plant or cultivating deeply next to plants in order to break roots and slow growth. Fall and winter varieties stand in the garden longer without splitting. If direct sown, add 20-25 days to the maturity date.

If cabbages won’t form heads, it may be from an imbalance of too much nitrogen in the soil in relation to phosphorus. Cabbages require cool temperatures to form heads well. Hot weather can interfere with the development of heads.

Harvest

Cabbage heads are ready when they’re firm to the touch, and when the interior is fairly dense. Heads will split when they’re allowed to overly mature. Rapid growth due to excess watering and fertility will also cause splitting of the head. Plant early, mid-season and late varieties to spread out your harvest. Late varieties tend to be better for storage or for making sauerkraut. Early (summer harvest) varieties tend not to store as well.

About West Coast Seeds

West Coast Seeds  was founded in 1983 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Our purpose is to source and supply seeds of a higher quality than have been available to home gardeners. Following the traditions of organic farming and gardening, untreated and certified organic seeds are our focus. West Coast Seeds is certified by the Pacific Agriculture Certification Society (Certification number 16-205).

 

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