cabbage (savoy) 'Invernale Mantovano'
savoy cabbage or Brassica oleracea (Capitata Group) Mantova
A wonderfully wrinkled, winter cabbage resistant to colder temperatures. 'Invernale Mantovano' is a late, large-headed savoy cabbage (named after the region in France) more tender and sweet than standard green and red cabbages. The emerald foliage is decorative enough to be planted alongside ornamental plants and flowers until it is harvested from November onwards.
How to care for cabbage of Mantova:
Cabbages grow best in firm, fertile soil that retains moisture but drains well. Before planting, dig in plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost to enrich the soil and help it hold water. Choose a sunny, open position, as cabbages need good light to develop strong, healthy heads.
Keep the soil weed-free and apply a mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Protect young plants from slugs and pigeons, and cover with mesh or fleece to prevent caterpillar damage. Feed with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser as they grow, particularly once they start to heart up.
Harvest when heads feel firm and full, cutting at the base with a sharp knife. Remove the whole plant or leave the stump in the ground as it often produces smaller secondary heads or leaves which are edible.
Keep the soil weed-free and apply a mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Protect young plants from slugs and pigeons, and cover with mesh or fleece to prevent caterpillar damage. Feed with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser as they grow, particularly once they start to heart up.
Harvest when heads feel firm and full, cutting at the base with a sharp knife. Remove the whole plant or leave the stump in the ground as it often produces smaller secondary heads or leaves which are edible.
Sowing instructions:
Early sowings, from January, can be made into pots or seed trays under glass at 55°F (13°C). Germination takes 1-2 weeks. Pot on as the seedlings grow and gradually harden off before planting out, spacing plants 40-45cm (16-18in) apart between plants and 45-60cm (18-24in) between the rows. Alternatively, sow later in spring into shallow drills in a well-prepared seedbed, thinning seedlings to 10cm (4in) apart.
When plants reach 15cm (6in) tall, transplant to where they are to grow, spacing as detailed above and firming in well. Can also be sown in October for overwintering (with some protection) and an earlier crop the following spring. Protect from slugs and net against pigeons.
When plants reach 15cm (6in) tall, transplant to where they are to grow, spacing as detailed above and firming in well. Can also be sown in October for overwintering (with some protection) and an earlier crop the following spring. Protect from slugs and net against pigeons.
Eventual height:
0.3m
Eventual spread:
0.45m
Position:
Full sun / light shade
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
approx 1800 seeds
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