Cabbage

[columbusmomma]

This is the first summer I've grown cabbage. My question is, when will I know when it's ready to pick?

[FarmerCathy]

I think when the head is formed and looks big enough. I'm sure you could eat it at any stage, but you might want to look at your seed pack and see what it says about how long it should take if you can remember or wrote down when you planted or make a guesstimate.

Harvesting

Cabbage can be harvested anytime after the heads form. For highest yield, cut the cabbage heads when they are solid (firm to hand pressure) but before they crack or split. When heads are mature, a sudden heavy rain may cause heads to crack or split wide open. The exposed internal tissue soon becomes unusable. Harvest and salvage split heads as soon as possible after they are discovered.

In addition to harvesting the mature heads of the cabbage planted in the spring, you can harvest a later crop of small heads (cabbage sprouts). These sprouts develop on the stumps of the cut stems. Cut as close to the lower surface of the head as possible, leaving the loose outer leaves intact. Buds that grow in the axils of these leaves (the angle between the base of the leaf and the stem above it) later form sprouts. The sprouts develop to 2 to 4 inches in diameter and should be picked when firm. Continue control of cabbage worms and other pests. If this control cannot be maintained, remove and destroy or compost the stumps, because they serve as a breeding ground for diseases and insect pests.

http://urbanext.illinois.edu/veggies/cabbage.cfm

[columbusmomma]

Thanks Cathy!
Off to harvest