When to remove cabbage from the garden for storage

These recommendations are suitable for both white and red cabbage.

When to remove cabbage from the garden for storage

It all depends on the timing of ripening, so try to remember what kind of cabbage you are sowed. Early varieties are harvested approximately 60-80 days from the moment the seedlings are planted in the ground, mid-season varieties - after 85-120 days, late varieties - on average after 130 days.

Thus, early cabbage begins to be cut from the end of June, and mid-season and late-season cabbage is harvested in August-November. Try to have time to collect the cabbage from the garden before the arrival of stable frosts, otherwise the cabbage will spoil and will not be stored well.

How to understand that cabbage is ripe and it’s time to remove it from the garden

If you don't remember what kind of cabbage you planted, pay attention to the heads of cabbage. The size of a ripe vegetable should correspond to the variety. In white cabbage, the surface becomes lighter than the leaves, a bluish tint and drying areas are possible. Red cabbage acquires a rich color, depending on the variety, such as purple, burgundy or bluish.

Also inspect the lower leaves: as the cabbage matures, they begin to turn yellow and dry out.

Try to gently squeeze the head of cabbage with your hands. Ripe cabbage is hard and dense to the touch and produces a characteristic crunch.

How to remove cabbage from the garden

If possible, go to harvest in garden or vegetable garden in dry weather.

Cut off the head of cabbage, leaving a stalk at least 3 centimeters long. The cabbage stem is quite hard, so use a small hatchet or sharp lopper.

Turn the cabbage over so the stalk is facing up. Using your hands, break off all the lower leaves, as well as the small side heads that can sometimes become knotted as the plant grows.

If the weather has been rainy and the harvested crop is covered in moisture, place it in a dry and well-ventilated place under a canopy - for example, on a veranda, in gazebo or in the barn. Leave the cabbage for about a day to dry.

How to store cabbage

Carefully inspect the harvested crop. For long-term storage, choose strong, dense, healthy and whole heads of cabbage. Rotten, frozen, damaged, affected by mold, diseases and pests, set aside. It's better to make them preparations for the winter.

To keep cabbage fresh and crispy for as long as possible, keep it in a dark, dry room at a temperature of 0 to 5 degrees. For example, a cellar, basement or glassed-in balcony is suitable for wintering vegetables. A small batch can also be kept in the refrigerator. For more information on how to properly store cabbage, read our material.