After placing my order with Marshall’s earlier this year I was invited to take part in a consumer seed trial. The idea is that you plant the seeds and then keep a record of planting, growing and harvesting information. This is then sent back to Marshall’s who use it to decide whether to put it in their catalogue. I have decided to share with you the information collected and maybe you will see it in next years catalogue!
2008 Cabbage Trial
This new cabbage has been developed with the home gardener in mind. It produces smallish head of incredible sweetness. Early reports suggest this variety can be harvested from the ‘mini-head’ stage or left to grow on to whole head size. It is tender with a very sweet flavour, the short internal core ensures less wastage. It can be grown closely spaced and has good holding ability. With successional sowing from mid-Feb to mid-Apr it should provide continuity of cropping from mid-Jul to Sept.
Trial Report
Soil Type – ph 6.5
Fertiliser before planting – Y
Fertiliser used during growing season – Y
Rainfall – High
Temp – Average
Pest/Disease Control – Collars and netting
Results
Date of Sowing – 23.3.08 indoors
Germination – High
Final Spacing – 30cm
Date of first harvest – 8th July 08
Date of last harvest -
Pests or diseases noticed – None
Overall weight of crop -
Texture – Crisp/
Flavour – Sweet/
My Story
I thought I should add a little more of what I’m actually doing. I planted two seeds to each plug in a basic seed compost. Once the seedlings had come through, the went to my dads to live in his cold frame till they reached a good size. They were then thinned out and the thinnings re-potted so that there was one plant to each plug. Out of 11 seeds 9 managed to germinate successfully which isn’t bad. Once they were fully hardy and my bed was ready two seedlings were planted out. I know this isn’t many, but space is a big problem. I may add a couple more in my seed bed later on as its standing empty at the present. in order to minimise root disturbances the plants were ‘puddled in’. These means placing the plant in the hole then adding the water and letting it drain away before covering with soil and firming down. The little plants were then surrounded by home made carpet collars in an attempt to keep cabbage flies at bay.
We’re now into June and the cabbages are doing fantastic. They are around 30cm high and filling out quite well. I have removed the collars and covered them with very fine netting to help keep out any nasty pests and an extra helping of fertiliser (blood, fish and bone) was added in May. I decided to plant an extra two plants with the original two so that makes four! A nice little crop.
Moving on into the middle of July and the cabbages are looking excellent. I have harvested the very first and first impressions are it looks really good. It weighed 700 grams, kept its colour after cooking and tasted delicious. It had formed a really lovely tight head and fitted in perfectly in my small garden. I hope to harvest another one soon.
To be continued…
