You should get spring cabbages underway from mid-to late summer (the young plants should be transplanted during early to midautumn). Sow the seeds in a nursery bed outside (to save space on the plot proper) or use trays or modules under cover.

If you’re sowing outdoors, put down a garden line (a string between two pegs will do) and use it as a guide for creating a drill 1cm deep, using a draw hoe or the corner of a sharp metal rake to do so. Water the row using a can with a fine rose end attachment then sow the seed thinly along it. Lightly rake the drill, knocking the soil back over the seeds, and gently tamp over the area with the back of the rake. If you’re sowing multiple rows ensure there is at least 15cm between each one. After germination, thin out the seedlings to 8cm apart to prevent them becoming weak and spindly due to overcrowding.

If you’re sowing in trays or modules fill them with seed compost to within 2.5cm from the top. Lightly sprinkle the seeds on the surface, cover them (preferably using a wide-mesh sieve) with 1cm of the compost, and water.

However they are sown, transplant the seedlings to their permanent position when they are 10cm in height and have grown five or six leaves. If you’re transplanting from a nursery bed, water the rows the day before. This will soften the soil, aiding lifting and minimising root and stem damage. If you don’t get around to sowing, garden centres are increasingly stocking young plants at this time.

Growing

For traditional hearting cabbages, the young plants should be spaced at 25–30cm intervals in the row. For spring greens, grow the leafy purpose-bred varieties 20–25cm apart, or space normal spring cabbage varieties just 10–15cm apart and harvest the leaves while they are immature. In all cases the rows should be at 25–30cm spacings.

Late summer temperatures are quite important for these cabbages. For example, they tend to be at their best in the 15–20°C range and will suffer if transplanted when the weather is above 25°C. Remember, these plants are hardy, being able to survive the winter, and in trials have stuck it out at -10°C.

Firm planting is important, so don’t be afraid to really press down on the soil around the transplanted seedlings, but be careful not to damage the stem. Water the young plants straight after transplanting and again every few days until they are well established – this means for the first couple of weeks or so. Straight after watering it is wise to place felt discs around the stems of the plants to help avoid attacks from cabbage root fly .

Harvesting

Spring cabbages are ready to harvest from mid- to late spring, when the heart is firm to the touch. They should be used straight away – they do not store well (unlike Dutch winter white and some red cabbages which can be stored for several months in a cool, frost-proof shed).

If you don’t immediately need the ground on which the cabbages are growing for another crop, you can produce a second harvest from the stumps – but the cabbages need to be growing in good conditions and be generally healthy. Start by harvesting the main cabbage; slice the head cleanly from its stalk, using a sharp knife and making the cut some 5cm or so up from the ground. Then cut a cross shape 1cm deep into the stump. This will sprout a cluster of smaller cabbages.

If the ground is needed straight away for a crop of something else, harvest spring cabbages by lifting whole plants with a fork. Cut off the roots and stem, and remove the coarser, yellowing or damaged outer leaves.

If you have a glut and can’t use all your spring cabbages quickly, they can be frozen – but only freeze fresh heads of the best quality. Wash and coarsely shred the cabbage, then blanch it (quickly immerse it in boiling water) for about a minute. Dry it and pack into polythene bags or rigid plastic containers.