Cathy Isom tells you about the different varieties of an easy to grow exotic and flavorful cabbage. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
Chinese cabbage—also called Napa cabbage—offers a sweeter flavor than traditional cabbage varieties. And, this Asian variety is just as easy to grow in a home garden: it’s just more exotic and flavorful.
Napa cabbage plants have large, oblong-shaped leaves that tightly wrap themselves around the plant’s head. The stalks are usually white, with pale green leaves stemming out, and the flowers are yellow. Some cabbage plants have loose heads, while others are wound more tightly. However, they all tend to grow around 15-18 inches tall.
There are many varieties to choose from, but the best types of Chinese cabbage include:
- Chinese Express: This late-season variety has glossy leaves, and it is resistant to disease.
- Blues F1: An early season variety that’s perfect for planting in the spring. It has blue-green leaves and is resistant to disease as well as bolting. This variety also only takes about 57 days to grow.
- Monument: A mid-season variety that’s tall with a narrow head. It takes about 80 days to grow, which is the most extended amount of time, but this variety resists bolting.
When you plant your Chinese cabbage will depend on the type you choose to grow. Most plants do well if you sow the seeds during the spring, while the soil remains cool. To harvest in the fall, you would plant another crop during late summer.
This type of cabbage is a biennial, which means it can grow during the colder winter months with the right cover. It tolerates a little frost, but too much is detrimental to the plant’s health.
I’m Cathy Isom…
How to Grow Chinese Cabbage – Napa Cabbage – TIPS Growing Cabbage From Seeds
How to grow Chinese Cabbage also known as Napa cabbage is Easy to grow from seed at home in the backyard with this Advanced Complete Growing Guide, we show you our TIPS so you can start it from seeds indoors at home, transplanted it to the garden or containers, then what to watch out for in growing the Chinese – Napa cabbage and how to harvest it.
Nancy’s favorite Cabbage to make Kimchi and stir fry! Napa cabbage is a very versatile vegetable. It can be used in recipes calling for either regular cabbage or bok choy. It is mild tasting, very nutritious cabbage is wonderful raw or cooked.