We think Kilaton is the best clubroot resistant variety out there, if this is a problem for you then this is a ‘must grow’ choice. For the best results start the seeds in pots or modules. Look forward to great quality, solid, light green ballheads to harvest in the autumn through to Christmas. The flavour is sweet enough to enjoy raw or cooked and these will store well too. Price for 20 seeds

SOW: up to 10mm deep in pots or large modules March and April, keep at about 16°C until germinated.  Make sure that their final position has a rich soil (dig in home-made compost early in spring). 

GROW: module grown plants will need potting up when they are about 6-7 tall.  When they reach 10cm tall harden off and plant out 35-40cm apart.  Put them in 2cm lower than in their pots and firm them in. steady watering gives your cabbages the best conditions, protect with net or mesh to keep troublesome pests away.

EAT: harvest from late September through to December.  You can eat Kilaton in salads but by the autumn we prefer cooking them!

You will discover that Ormskirk is a lovely large open pollinated variety that can be harvested from mid-December through to the end of March. It is a Savoy type (crinkly leaves) that stands well in harsh weather and will reward you with its flavour, yummy. Price for 20 seeds

SOW: from mid to late spring at 10-15mm deep - for best results sow in modules or pots for transplanting with strong root growth, you can sow in a seed bed

GROW: plant out about 5/6 weeks after sowing.  Ormskirk can be spaced up to 45cm apart. For all transplants:  firm into position with the lower leaves just above the soil and water well until established. Cut the cabbages as you need them. 

What is there not to love about Red Acre? With a fabulous flavour, it will add a super dash of colour to coleslaw or as a cooked vegetable. It is a quick growing choice, allow it about 11 weeks from sowing to harvest. It produces small compact plants with round, reddish-purple heads that are about 15cm across and weigh up to a kilo. Sow in spring and munch from May to July. Price for 20 seeds.

SOW: from March to May, starting in pots or modules and planting out when large enough to handle after hardening off.  Space at 20cm apart.

GROW: allow about 11 weeks to harvesting.  The compact heads will grow to about 15cm across and weigh up to a kilo.  This variety is a very good choice for small garden spaces.

A red cabbage that cooks superbly and stays red! This variety can be sown from the beginning of March right through to the end of May to give you a harvest from mid-September to the end of December. Price for 20 seeds

SOW: from early March to end of May.  For the best results start the seeds in modules or pots at 10-15mm deep, you can sow into a seed bed.

GROW: harden off and plant out about 5/6 weeks after sowing.  Close spacing will give you smaller heads and greens.  Cut the cabbages as you need them from mid-September (March sown) to the end of December (May sown).

EAT: Red Drumhead is simply delicious sliced thinly and steamed for 10 minutes – quick and easy.  They can also be braised for a more traditional side dish (add raisins and a touch of honey for a treat)   

Sweet, crinkled, mild and tender leaves form tightly wrapped drumhead type hearts.  Savoy Perfection is a short stemmed heirloom variety that in optimum conditions can weigh in at 3kg but is generally a little smaller than this.  Perfect for eating fresh or cooked, from a harvest starting in late summer.  Price for 20 seeds. 

SOW & GROW: from March to May, starting in pots or modules at 10-15mm deep and planting out when large enough to handle after hardening off.  Space at 30-40cm apart.  Ready to harvest from August

EAT: a perfect choice for eating fresh in slaw or salad or indeed for cooking.  These can be stored in a frost-free place for a number of weeks (just keep an eye on them) but this variety will freeze well & be ready to use as needed.

Spring Hero F1 – the only spring ballhead there is, and it is fabulous: enjoy the firm, solid heads with a crisp creamy white heart – sweet tasting too.  Simply sow in the summer, transplant in autumn, it copes with the harshest winters, and wait for your sweet & tasty spring feast!

Price for 20 seeds

Timing is key!

• August sow, transplant October (when 10-15cm tall), crop in April
• Sow earlier in June or July, transplant in august/September, pick Jan/Feb/Mar… these are often smaller cabbages but they will stand and can be picked over a number of weeks

Start seeds 10-15mm deep using modules or pots OR in a well-prepared seed bed.   When large enough to handle (about 10-15cm tall), harden off and plant out about 35-45cm apart.  Protect if the weather turns bad after transplanting but once settled are fine on their own. 

As a change from boiling or steaming try tearing your cabbage up into a baking dish, drizzle with olive oil, season with herbs or salt & pepper, cover with foil & bake (200C) for 20 minutes, stir in a dash of balsamic vinegar & then bake uncovered for about 20 minutes more – simply delicious.

Tendersweet F1 is a gorgeous salad cabbage, crunchy yet tender so the thin leaves are perfect for making coleslaw or using as a wrap.  This variety can be harvested in the spring, summer or autumn – very tasty and adaptable they can also be lightly cooked so ideal for stir fry too.  Price for 20 seeds

Harvest when the heads are plumb and firm about 10 weeks or so from sowing: the heads will split if left in the garden too long making this variety best sown in batches so that the heads are ready at different times.  Splitting can be caused by rapid new growth if rain or heavy watering follows a dry spell – a little bit every day or so is always better.

In the summer heat they will prefer a part-shaded place to grow.  

A fabulous winter cabbage with has one of the longest harvest periods – from November to March. Sow Tundra from mid-April to July and look forward to eating the tasty dark green dense heads throughout the winter. This savoy type has lovely crinkled leaves. As a bonus it is also suitable for close spacing. Price for 20 seeds

SOW: in modules or pots from mid-April to July.  Seed depth 10-15mm

GROW: plant out about 5/6 weeks after sowing.  Close spacing will give you smaller heads.  Cut the cabbages as you need them between November and March.  

EAT: enjoy a winter treat: finely shred and fry with chopped bacon (very naughty but very nice too!).  Of course you can boil or steam Tundra.  Instead of frying you can braise it (with lean bacon and raisins) and use it as a base beneath baked fish… yum yum yum!

Wheelers Imperial forms wonderful dark green leafy heads with a compact heart. It is also versatile as you can spring sow for autumn harvest as well as autumn sow for the spring! Double the opportunity to enjoy this variety. Price for 20 seeds.

SOW: April/May for autumn harvest (Sept/Oct) also sow July to September for harvesting in spring (March/April).  Start 10-15mm deep in modules and transplant.

GROW: plant out about 5/6 weeks after sowing, protect if the weather turns bad after transplanting but once settled they are fine on their own.  Close spacing will give you smaller heads and greens.  Cut the cabbages as you need them. 

EAT: can be stored in a poly bag for up to a week in a fridge.  We prefer to steam our cabbage but you can cook it in boiling water. To Freeze – shred or cut, blanch for 1 minute, plunge into cold water and drain.

A fabulous savoy with every quality that you could possibly look for – full of flavour, very hardy and with fine wrinkly-crinkly leaves! Price for 20 seeds £0.50