Has anyone grown cabbage varieties recommended for sauerkraut? Any suggestions?
Ms. Tommie
Fall Planting - Best Kraut Cabbage...Suggestions?
The most 'bang for your buck' are the Bonnie O/S, 'os', stands for 'oversized'.
I love those, I first started growing them when my kids were given free transplants at school. But, I can only find transplants early in spring...if, I can find them at all.
I'm starting Golden Acre, Copenhagen Early Market, and another 'heart' shaped cabbage seed this week. New to me, we'll see.
Once the weather cools I'm direct sowing some tat-soi and some miniature bok choy. I haven't grown the bok choy before, the tat-soi grows like a weed here.
I'm thinking I might be able to ferment the whole heads of the bok choy and the same with the rosettes of the tat-soi.
I'm interested in seeing if they're are cabbages actually just for kraut, the round shaped ones all seem to have the same texture to me...
Are you starting from seed?
Yes I start cabbage seed in paper pots (make your own from black/white newsprint) or cell packs then transplant later once 4-6 true leaves have formed. Timing is tough, especially this year but one can stagger seeding/planting. If all else fails one can always look for nursery transplants although the varieties will be limited to those that grow best in your location (or should be). I look for varieties with a short growing season for spring planting and longer maturing types for fall/winter.
I really love cabbage and brussels sprouts (fall planted only where I live)! Just hope the weather cooperates. Thanks for your comments...
Ms. Tommie
Do you start yours inside or outside?
I usually start indoors, but I'm babysitting some cats for the next month and not sure they'll stay out of my business. I'm worried about starting them outside (it would be in the shade, of course) it just gets so hot! Not sure how to proceed, I have an experiment going. I'm using the old germinate in a coffee filter trick. Germinating indoors, then hoping to move them outside into cell trays.
If you start your seedlings outdoors...do you cover till germination? How many times a day do you have to water?
So glad to read this thread! I'm getting ready to order some cabbage seeds for the fall. I have some single-serve applesauce cups that I've saved to use for seed-starting. Perfect for this project!!
Off to look for seeds.
Stephanie, are you starting inside or out?
The coffee filters worked. Got broccoli, cabbage and brussel sprouts germinating. Waiting on leeks, but expect they'll take longer anyway.
Now what to do with them? lol
I think I'm going to put them in the cell trays and keep a few days longer inside. I think I can lock them in my bedroom to keep the cats away, but there's not much daylight thu those windows.hmm
Anyone start cool season seeds in this weather...love to hear about your technique or setup :0)
I think I'll start them inside. I'm a little concerned about mold growing on them though. I might need to invest in a little fan or something to keep the air circulating. When I'm rooting plants this time of year, I like to put them in a bag in my sunroom because it stays nice and warm in there. Makes for good condensation on the bag and keeps things nice and tropical! LOL I might try starting some seeds out there as well.
Let us know how the sunroom goes. That sound like the environment is use in the spring, but I'm worried it's still too hot...and the cats have access. Ready for these cats to go home.lol
I moaned and piddled around forever. Then decided to just clean the shelves and lighting unit and move it all to the bedroom. What can say, I'm hot and lazy!