Cabbage 'Duchy'

Plant Cabbage 'Duchy' in a sunny position in fertile, firm, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Before planting, remove weeds and incorporate plenty of well-rotted garden compost or manure to improve the soil.

Brassicas have shallow, spreading roots, so correct spacing is important. For full-sized pointed cabbages, plant 30–45cm apart with 40cm between rows. If you're growing for tender spring greens, plants can be spaced closer together at around 20–25cm apart and harvested while young.

Firm the soil well around each plant and water thoroughly after planting. Keep the soil consistently moist throughout the growing season, particularly while the heads are developing. Applying a mulch will help retain moisture, suppress weeds and keep the roots cool.

Protect young plants with insect-proof mesh or suitable netting to help reduce damage from cabbage white butterflies, cabbage root fly, aphids and pigeons. Keep the growing area weed free and inspect plants regularly for the healthiest crops.

Good Companions
Cabbage grows well alongside onions, garlic, beetroot and herbs such as thyme and sage. Calendula and nasturtiums can also help attract beneficial insects into the vegetable garden.

Plan Your Brassica Bed
Growing cabbages alongside other brassicas makes protecting the whole crop with insect-proof mesh easier and helps keep crop rotation simple from year to year.

Crop Rotation
Avoid planting cabbage where brassicas have grown within the previous three to four years. Rotating crops helps reduce the build-up of soil-borne diseases, including clubroot, and supports healthier future crops.

Harvest Young or Mature
Pick young plants as tender spring greens or leave them to mature into firm, pointed hearts with crisp, sweet leaves.

Harvest When Firm
Once the heads feel firm and well filled, cut them cleanly at the base with a sharp knife.

Harvest Over Time
'Duchy' keeps its quality well, giving you flexibility to harvest over an extended period rather than cutting every head at once.

Protect the Head
Leave a few outer leaves attached after harvesting to help protect the cabbage and keep it fresh for longer.

Flavour
Sweet, crisp and tender with a delicate flavour that's delicious both raw and cooked.

Best Enjoyed
Harvest young as spring greens or leave to mature for steaming, stir-fries, homemade coleslaw and braised cabbage dishes.

Storage
'Duchy' keeps its quality particularly well after harvest. Store whole heads in the fridge or another cool place, leaving the outer leaves attached to help maintain freshness.

Marshalls Garden Tip
Harvest younger heads for the sweetest flavour and tenderest texture, or leave them a little longer if you prefer larger, well-filled pointed cabbages.

Plug Plants
Supplied as healthy young plants with well-developed roots, plug plants are ready to be planted straight into their final growing position or potted on if preferred. Water well on arrival and keep the compost evenly moist while they establish.

Garden Ready Plants
Our Garden Ready plants have been professionally grown on, making them larger, stronger and ready to plant straight into the garden. They establish quickly, giving you a useful head start towards your harvest.

9cm Potted Plants
Supplied in individual 9cm nursery pots, these well-established plants are ready to plant straight into vegetable gardens, raised beds or allotments. Simply plant, water thoroughly and keep the soil consistently moist while they settle in.

Upon Arrival
Remove your plants from their packaging as soon as they arrive and give them a thorough watering. If you can't plant them immediately, keep them in a cool, sheltered spot out of direct sunlight and drying winds, ensuring the compost remains moist until you're ready to plant.