Savoy cabbage has only been cultivated in domestic farm gardens and kitchen gardens since the 18th century. The tender vegetable is more robust than other types of cabbage, but still needs the right location and the right care. A large selection of fast-growing and slow-growing savoy varieties makes a year-round harvest possible. The cabbage plant with the large leaves not only cuts a fine figure on raised and hill beds, but is generally an impressive eye-catcher in your own garden. If there is no suitable green space, savoy cabbage can also be grown in sufficiently large planters on the terrace or balcony.
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location and soil conditions
Savoy cabbage is cultivated in sunny locations. Whether the bed is in direct full sun or in light semi-shade is irrelevant for the vegetables. The versatile cabbage needs a humus-rich and well-drained substrate that can have a high lime content. With a pH of the soil between 6.5 and 7.5 you promote the growth of the plant and thus get a high-yielding harvest. Enhance poor soil with humus and large amounts of lime before planting.
fertilizing and watering
Due to the large mass of leaves and the fact that they belong to the strongly consuming plants, a correct and sufficient supply of water and nutrients is extremely important for the cabbage. It is fertilized with compost, horn shavings or horse manure. Mulch the soil and work the organic materials into the substrate. Due to the high nutrient requirements, savoy can be planted on freshly laid hill beds in the first year. Fertilization takes place from April to October about twice a month. If no organic fertilizer is available, you can also use liquid or slow-release fertilizers from specialist retailers. Make sure that the fertilizer used has a high lime content.
Although cabbage leaves suggest a robust plant, don’t let that fool you. Cabbage is extremely sensitive to substrate that is too dry or too wet. Not only does the growth of the cabbage plant suffer, the resistance of the plant also decreases considerably. An ideal target for cabbage flies and Co., which feel extremely comfortable on severely weakened plants. Keep the soil moderately moist and water as needed. Avoid waterlogging so that the roots of the cabbage do not suffer from root rot.
cultivation
The exact time to sow the plant, which originates from the Mediterranean region, depends on the variety chosen and the desired harvest time. However, the leaves of the versatile cabbage can already be harvested when the savoy cabbage itself does not yet have a firm head.
Early and middle varieties
Depending on the preferred size, these plants require a growing season of between 13 – 26 weeks, and the leaves can be harvested between June and October. Spring and summer savoy is sown from February on the windowsill and from around mid-April to early May outdoors. When pulling it out on the window sill at home, you should avoid direct sunlight and avoid being close to active radiators. To do this, proceed as follows:
- Press the seeds about 1 centimeter deep into humus-rich substrate.
- Maintain a minimum distance of 5 centimeters:
- Keep the soil evenly moist.
- Stretch a perforated film around the planter.
If you sown too densely, you should prick out the freshly germinated savoy varieties as soon as the seedlings have reached a size of about 10 centimeters. The optimal planting distance for early varieties is about 35 centimeters.
late varieties
Cultivation for the winter harvest takes place at the end of July to the beginning of August. As soon as the young savoy plants have at least two pairs of leaves, they are moved to their final location. The late Savoy cabbage varieties are hardy and can easily withstand a temperature of -10°C. Varieties such as “Advent” and “Winterfürst 2” require between 25 and 40 weeks before the harvest can take place. Late varieties can also overwinter in the bed and only be harvested in February.
Also water here on frost-free days and enrich the soil with sufficient compost in late autumn. When planting in rows, you should keep a minimum distance of about 50 centimeters between the individual cabbage plants.
Savoy cabbage may only be planted again in the same location in the third year. In the meantime, you can use the bed for potatoes, beans, peas or carrots, for example. This prevents diseases and the substrate can recover from the heavily consuming plants.
multiply
Savoy cabbage is successfully propagated by sowing seeds. If you do not want to resort to seeds from specialist shops, you should only harvest a savoy cabbage plant moderately. Immediately after flowering, the seeds develop, which are carefully cut off after maturity. Choose a dry and cool place for storage where the seeds can dry out without forming mold. The time for the new sowing depends on the respective Savoy cabbage variety.
To cut
One-year-old cabbage does not have to be pruned back, but you can extend the harvesting time of the savoy with the right cutting technique: Separate the required number of cabbage leaves from the outside in with a sharp knife. If the center of the cabbage is not damaged, the so-called “plant heart”, new leaves will form from it. These can be harvested several times in a row for the home kitchen.
sorts
In order not to have to do without the vitamin-rich leaves of the savoy cabbage all year round, you can cultivate different types of savoy cabbage in your own garden. The hardy cabbage species can also be harvested in frost. In hardy regions, cover the cabbages with a protective layer of mulch and a clear tarp. Depending on the seed wholesaler, however, the names of the different Savoy cabbage species vary. Recommended and high-yielding varieties are, for example:
- Savoy Serve – Early harvest variety.
- Midvoy – Leaves are usable from July.
- Samantha savoy cabbage – Lush growing variety, harvest takes place between July and October.
- Marner Grüfewi – winter variety, harvest time is between September and February.
- Providence F1 – Widespread and late developing Savoy cabbage.
Fast-growing varieties ensure an early harvest, which is completed by October at the latest. With slow-growing types of Savoy cabbage, on the other hand, you can regularly stock up on the vitamin-rich cabbage leaves until spring of the following year.
Tip: Late Savoy cabbage varieties are also suitable for storage in a dark cellar.
diseases and pests
Not only snails can be dangerous to the cabbage plants. Incorrect care and too small a minimum distance between the individual plants promote infestation with other harmful insects and fungal pathogens.
Clubroot
One of the probably most dangerous diseases is the “cabbage hernia”. This slime mold feels at home on various types of cabbage and is extremely persistent. The fungal pathogen penetrates the roots of the plant via the soil and provokes uncontrolled cell division in them. As the infestation progresses, the water and nutrient uptake of the cabbage is permanently impaired, which often leads to the death of the entire plant. The slime mold pathogens can survive in the soil for up to ten years and infect new cabbage plants from there.
Fighting clubroot is extremely difficult, but you can prevent any infestation with the right measures. For example, you should pay attention to the correct crop rotation and plant cruciferous plants, which also include cabbage varieties, at the earliest from the 3rd year in the same location. Also avoid cultivating strawberries, which can spread the pathogen. Mulch the soil regularly and sow fungus-resistant varieties of cabbage. Dispose of plants affected by the fungus immediately and replace the soil completely.
Cabbage White
Bald heads of cabbage indicate an infestation with the caterpillars of the cabbage white butterfly. The voracious offspring begin their destructive work between July and September, causing massive damage to the savoy cabbage in their own garden. Check the underside of the cabbage leaves regularly and remove the cabbage white caterpillars immediately. Protection with close-meshed protective nets has also proven itself against an infestation. If you cannot contain a plague with conventional measures, you should resort to means from specialist shops.
flea beetles
The insects, which are only a few millimeters in size, rarely cause any significant damage to the infested plants. To prevent an infestation, you should mulch the soil regularly and remove annoying weeds. Sticky traps have also proven to be an effective means of combating flea beetles.
cabbage whitefly
Curled leaves and discoloration are a visible indication of sucking insects. The “white fly” often occurs in cabbage plants, which uses its mouthpart to extract the important cell sap from the plant. Whitefly flies rarely come alone, because their sticky excretions serve as a nutritious basis for ants and sooty mold. Combating the harmful insects is extremely difficult and time-consuming. Here too, however, a special net for vegetable plants has proven to be a preventive measure. If you discover caterpillars when checking the leaves regularly, the following tips have proven useful:
- Spray soapy water or tobacco broth directly over the animals.
- Use natural predators such as ladybugs and co.
- Set up sticky traps.
- Discard affected leaves.
- use insecticides.
Planting and care tips for a high-yield harvest
Useful neighboring plants: To prevent pests, you can also rely on the help of other plants. For example, plant garlic and onions in the immediate vicinity of the savoy cabbage, as this will keep flea beetles away. Tomatoes placed between the savoy plants, on the other hand, keep caterpillars at a distance. Marigolds and marigolds also drive away pests with their intense smell.
Lime: Do not only enrich the soil with lime, but use calcareous water for watering. This stimulates the growth of the savoy and promotes its resilience. In addition to the compost, mix crushed eggshells into the soil.
Cultivation in the tub: If you have a sufficiently large planter, you can also grow and harvest individual savoy cabbage plants there. The location should also be bright and sunny here, fertilize regularly with calcareous fertilizer. If you change the substrate completely, you can sow savoy cabbage on the balcony or terrace at any time. Water regularly and protect the substrate from freezing completely in winter.
