Savoy cabbageBrassica oleracea var. sabauda

Savoy cabbage

Savoy cabbage

1. Brassica oleracea var. sabauda
2. Cabbage, green, raw

1. Brassica oleracea var. sabauda
2. Cabbage, green, raw

1. Savoy cabbage

1. Tracheophyta
2. Magnoliopsida

Cabbage family

1. kohl
2. blumenkohl
3. brokkoli
4. rosenkohl
5. gruenkohl

1. Leaves
2. Head

Savoy cabbage, also known as curly cabbage, is a popular variety of cabbage characterized by its crinkled, wavy leaves. It is a versatile vegetable, valued both in the kitchen and the garden.

Growing Savoy cabbage is relatively straightforward but requires good soil preparation and regular care, especially regarding water and nutrient supply. It is hardier than many other cabbage varieties and tolerates light frost, which can even enhance its flavor.

1. Taskplanning

   Label

   Planning and variety selection

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 1

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Choose varieties for early, mid, and late harvest.

1. Tasksowing_indoor

   Label

   Start seeds indoors

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 2

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Sow in seed trays at 15–20 °C.

1. Taskpricking_out

   Label

   Prick out seedlings

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 3

   Conditionseedlings have first true leaves

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Transplant into individual pots or larger trays.

1. Taskplanting_out

   Label

   Direct sow and transplant outdoors

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 4

   Conditionsoil temperature above 8°C

   Estimated efforthigh

   Notes

   Harden off before planting. Spacing 40–50 cm.

1. Taskweeding

   Label

   Weeding and watering

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 5

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Cultivate regularly and water during dry spells.

1. Taskhilling

   Label

   Hilling and mulching

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 6

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Hill for stability and mulch to retain moisture.

1. Taskharvest_early

   Label

   Harvest early varieties

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 7

   Conditionheads firm

   Estimated efforthigh

   Notes

   Cut heads when firm.

1. Taskharvest_continue

   Label

   Continue harvest, monitor pests

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 8

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Check for cabbage whiteflies, aphids, and slugs.

1. Taskautumn_care

   Label

   Autumn care and late harvest

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 9

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Keep soil loose and harvest late varieties.

1. Taskharvest_late

   Label

   Harvest late varieties, winter preparation

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 10

   Estimated efforthigh

   Notes

   Complete harvest before hard frost.

1. Taskfinal_harvest

   Label

   Final harvest and storage

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 11

   Estimated efforthigh

   Notes

   Store heads at 0–2 °C with high humidity.

1. Taskdormancy

   Label

   Winter dormancy

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 12

   Notes

   Let beds rest and plan soil care.

Sunny to partial shade

Wind protection preferred

Savoy cabbage thrives best in a sunny, sheltered location.

Deep, humus-rich, loamy

Well-drained but moisture-retentive

Dig deeply in autumn and incorporate compost.

Avoid heavy, compacted soils.

Water at soil level, avoid wetting leaves

Keep evenly moist, especially during dry spells.

Avoid waterlogging at all costs.

Compost or well-rotted manure

Side-dress with nitrogen-rich vegetable fertilizer

Lime based on soil test; cabbage is sensitive to calcium deficiency.

Plant early varieties from April, late until June. Growing period 12–20 weeks.

1. Nitrogen deficiency: leaves turn yellow.

2. Potassium deficiency: leaf margins brown.

3. Calcium deficiency: heart leaves die (tip burn).

Regular foliar feeding with micronutrients helps prevent deficiencies.

1. Heads split due to uneven watering.

2. Rotting heads due to waterlogging.

3. Small heads due to nutrient deficiency.

Even moisture and good drainage are crucial.

1. Insects (cabbage whites, aphids, flea beetles)
2. Molluscs (slugs)

1. Fungal diseases (mildews, Alternaria)
2. Soil-borne diseases (clubroot)

1. Rotate crops
2. Lime acidic soils
3. Use healthy plant material
4. Suppress weeds

Check leaf undersides and roots when symptoms are unclear.

1. Slugkohlhernie

   Severityhigh

   Conditions

   1. Acid soil (pH < 6.5)
   2. Moist conditions
   3. Growing after brassicas

   Affected parts

   1. Roots

   Prevention

   1. Lime to pH above 7
   2. Crop rotation > 5 years
   3. Choose resistant varieties

   Organic control

   1. Soil improvement with lime
   2. Do not compost infected plants
2. Slugfalscher_mehltau

   Severitymedium

   Conditions

   1. High humidity
   2. Cool temperatures (10-15 °C)

   Affected parts

   1. Leaves

   Prevention

   1. Maintain spacing
   2. Avoid wet foliage
   3. Good ventilation

   Organic control

   1. Remove infected leaves
   2. Sulfur preparations
3. Slugblattflecken

   Severitylow

   Conditions

   1. Wet weather
   2. Dense planting

   Affected parts

   1. Leaves

   Prevention

   1. Maintain spacing
   2. Copper-based products if needed

   Organic control

   1. Copper-based products
   2. Nettle tea

1. Symptom

   Yellow leaves, wilting plant

   Possible causes

   1. kohlhernie
   2. staunässe
   3. stickstoffmangel

   First checks

   1. Check roots for swellings
   2. Check soil moisture
2. Symptom

   White coating on leaves

   Possible causes

   1. echter_mehltau

   First checks

   1. Check leaf underside
   2. Measure humidity

1. Yellowing
2. Wilting
3. Leaf spots
4. Head deformities

Diagnosis based on visual symptoms and site conditions.

1. Germination
2. Seedling
3. Rosette stage
4. Head initiation
5. Head filling
6. Harvest maturity
7. Bolting (second year)

Savoy cabbage is a biennial plant. The head forms in the first year, followed by bolting and seed production in the second year. The growing period from transplant to harvest is 12–20 weeks depending on variety.

Once per plant, as the entire head is harvested.

1. Head is firm and closed
2. Head has reached typical size for the variety
3. Outer leaves begin to loosen slightly

Store heads cool immediately after harvest. Remove outer wilted leaves. Do not wash before storage, only brush off dry soil.

Cold storage

Early varieties: 2–4 weeks. Late varieties: 3–6 months under optimal conditions.

1. Pickling as sauerkraut
2. Freezing (blanched)
3. Fermenting

1. Leaves
2. Head

1. Core (very woody, edible but unpleasant)
2. older outer leaves (tough)

Not toxic. Raw savoy cabbage may cause flatulence in sensitive individuals.

Yes, raw in salads or as garnish. Slice or shred finely.

Dry extraction: Allow seed stalks to dry, then thresh or beat out seeds.

Separate seeds from chaff with sieves and clean further.

Risk of cross-pollination with other Brassica oleracea species. Maintain strict isolation for pure seed. Keep at least 20 plants for genetic diversity.

Savoy cabbage is a biennial heading cabbage and not a woody plant. It is cultivated as an annual vegetable. This section is not applicable.

Savoy cabbage flowers in the second year provide nectar for bees and other insects if plants are left for seed production. In the first year, the ecological value for pollinators is low. Leaves can serve as food for some insect larvae.