Growing and Sowing Savoy Cabbage

Savoy cabbage is one of the oldest cabbages in the world and, like pointed cabbage, red and white cabbage, a head cabbage. The cabbage is round to pointed, is somewhat looser with slightly frizzy leaves. It is originally from the Savoye in France and owes its name to this. There are both yellow and green varieties, the yellow is not grown much in our country anymore. The green variety is hardy, so the cabbage can be eaten fresh from your own garden almost all year round.

Growing your own savoy cabbage from seeds

Savoy cabbage, also known as Milan or Lombard cabbage, belongs to the cruciferous family and is a head cabbage, which means that the cabbage forms a kind of head because the leaves are tightly together. Unlike white and red cabbage, for example, this head is less firm. In addition to the (dark) green variants, there are also yellow ones, but these are hardly grown in the Netherlands anymore. This is because the green is quite hardy, which increases the harvest season. It is a very healthy vegetable, rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber. 

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Sowing and planting savoy cabbage

Savoy cabbage can be sown at different times, depending on when you want to harvest. Always keep a planting distance of at least 50 x 50 cm. For an early harvest, pre-sowing can be done in February and March, indoors or under glass. The plants can then be planted out in March or April and harvested in June and July.

For summer and autumn cultivation, savoy cabbage can be sown outdoors from mid-March to the end of April. If necessary, thin out the plants a bit. Harvesting can then be done from August to the end of November.

For a late harvest, sowing can be done from the beginning of May to the end of June, the harvest then falls from November to mid-March. During periods of frost, cover the cabbages with, for example, fleece.

Some types of savoy cabbage are also suitable for winter cultivation. This means that sowing is done in September or October, under glass or in a greenhouse, in order to be able to plant out early in the spring of the following year. This gives the plants a head start and they can harvest earlier, in the spring. The condition is that the plants are in a sunny spot, which can easily be covered if it gets too cold. A cold greenhouse is also suitable for this. This is also called winter-grown and can be done with many types of cabbage. Make sure that the species is also suitable for this. In this way, the vegetable garden is also used in the winter months.

Position and soil

Savoy cabbage likes to be in a sunny spot in the garden and makes many demands on the soil. The soil must be fertile and firm and not dry out quickly. If necessary, the soil can be enriched with compost. Do not put cabbages in the same place more than 6 years, but alternate. Since cabbage plants like to be eaten by, for example, pigeons, caterpillars and snails, it is advisable to cover the plants with mesh. 

How to care for your savoy cabbage plants

Savoy cabbage does not like drought, so water regularly, especially in hot weather. Occasional feeding is important, the cabbage grows slowly and needs a lot of nutrients. Fertilize also if the cabbages are growing poorly.

When and how to harvest savoy cabbage?

This depends on when sowing was done (see sowing and growing). The cabbage can be harvested when it is the desired size.

How to preserve savoy cabbage

Savoy cabbage can be stored outside the refrigerator but has a longer shelf life in the refrigerator. Wrap it in paper, plastic will make it rot faster. Savoy cabbage can also be frozen, but first clean and blanch. 

Is savoy cabbage healthy?

Savoy cabbage is very healthy and contains a lot of vitamin C. It also contains many other vitamins, fibers and minerals. Some of these nutrients are lost when cooked, so the vegetable is best eaten raw.

Savoy cabbage seeds in our assortment

In our range we have different types of savoy cabbage, including one that is particularly suitable for winter cultivation. 

Tips to grow savoy cabbage

• Use a cabbage collar. This prevents damage from the cabbage fly. This can no longer lay eggs on the cabbage leaves because of the collar.
• Cover the young plants with nets to prevent pigeons from eating the plants.

Direct to the Savoy Cabbage Seeds >