Cabbage Spring 'Durham Early'

Plant Spring Cabbage 'Durham Early' 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 standard-sized heads, space plants around 30cm apart with 30–40cm between rows. If you'd prefer larger cabbages, allow up to 45cm between plants and 60cm between rows. For tender spring greens, plants can be grown much closer together at around 15–20cm apart.

Water plants thoroughly after planting and keep the soil consistently moist, particularly while plants are establishing. Apply a balanced vegetable fertiliser during the growing season if required, and mulch around the plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds and keep the roots cool.

Protect young plants with fine 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 throughout the season.

Good Companions
Spring 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 spring cabbage alongside other brassicas makes it easier to protect crops with insect-proof mesh and helps keep crop rotation simple from year to year.

Crop Rotation
Avoid planting brassicas in the same area year after year. Rotate crops every three to four years to help reduce the build-up of soil-borne diseases such as clubroot and encourage healthier future crops.

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

Harvest Young or Mature
Pick young plants as tender spring greens or allow them to mature into firm, pointed hearts with excellent flavour.

Harvest When Firm
Once the heart feels firm to the touch, cut it cleanly at the base using a sharp knife.

Harvest Promptly
Don't leave mature heads standing for too long, as they can begin to split and lose quality.

Clear the Bed
Remove the remaining stump and outer leaves after harvesting to help reduce the risk of pests and diseases before your next crop.

Flavour
Fresh, tender and delicately sweet with the crisp texture that makes spring cabbage so popular.

Best Enjoyed
Harvest young as spring greens or leave to mature for steaming, stir-fries, buttery spring cabbage or traditional seasonal dishes.

Storage
Best enjoyed fresh after harvesting, although whole heads can be stored in the fridge for several days.

Marshalls Garden Tip
For the sweetest flavour and most tender texture, harvest as soon as the heads are firm rather than leaving them in the ground for too long.

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.