dissimilar varieties of cabbage mature at different rates . Early cabbages age quickly while recent cabbages take longer . Mid - time of year cabbages mature , naturally , in the middle of the farm season . form with gravid heads take longer to mature than those with humble heads , but growing experimental condition also contribute . The 24-hour interval to due date listed for each variety is a guideline , but it ’s establish on ideal growing conditions .
Days to Maturity
too soon , mid - season , and late cabbages are sort out by how many days it takes them to mature .
former sugar , like Primo or Golden Acre , mature in 35 to 70 days . In ecumenical , early sugar form modest heads . Smaller heads of cabbage do n’t hive away as well as larger head teacher . It ’s expected , though , that these first cabbages from the garden wo n’t be store , but that they will be eat promptly .
Mid - time of year cabbage , like Green Cup or Ruby Ball , age in 70 to 80 days . Since they maturate at a time when the garden is producing vegetables on a regular fundament , it ’s expected that the oral sex might be stored for some short periods of clock time , so , these shekels develop heavy heads .
Late time of year cabbage , like Lei Choy or Ruby Perfection , take the long to ripen , over 85 sidereal day . It ’s expected that these cabbages might be stored in a root wine cellar for a few months or preserved as sauerkraut or kimchi for use over the wintertime , so these cabbages form the largest heads .
matureness go steady for some cabbages include :
As bring up , though , these dates are free-base on idealistic grow conditions . you may use them as a guide that secern you when to start checking your cabbage to see if it ’s quick to pluck .
The Real Guide to Maturity
The real guidebook to maturity is how the capitulum feels when you squeeze it in your hand . A head of cabbage may be beautifully determine and look well satisfy out , but the underlying farewell may still be loose and not in full compact .
The only mode to be sure that your pelf is ready to reap is to press it . When squeezed , the head should feel solid and unfaltering . It should not give any where under your handle . If the clams brain does not yet sense unfluctuating , delay it again in a daytime or two , but if it palpate solid , it ’s ready to harvest .
You should harvest little heads of cabbage as soon as they experience solid . you could , however , leave larger heads in your garden for a few days unless rainwater is in the weather condition prognosis . Rain , especially a great rain , can cause a growth spurt that cause dough psyche to split .
So , even if you are n’t quite quick , you will have to glean any ripe cabbages you have before it rains .
Wrap the smaller heads loosely in plastic wrap or place them in a open fitting formative grip to allow atmosphere to circularize around them , and you will be capable to keep them in your icebox for about two weeks . If you have a ascendent wine cellar or a place where you’re able to duplicate root cellar conditions , store the larger heads there .
Reaping the Rewards of Maturity
When you are quick to reap the rewards of having raised your clams to maturity , cut off their pass . Use a sharp tongue and cut the capitulum from the fore nigh to the base of the head .
You may be able to get a 2d harvest of small-scale , loose cabbage heads if you go forth the ascendant and extinct parting in your garden , especially in the case of other cabbages .
If unexampled heads appear , nip off all but three or four . Even though the heads will finger loose , reap them when they are about the size of lawn tennis ball and use them in salads or stir fries .
