Cabbage works like a charm here – at least if planted over the winter. I usually plant cauliflower and Brussel sprouts in early or late fall. They’re just fine with colder temperatures and as soon as the weather gets warmer you can watch them grow bigger by the day.
Last year I planted a little too early in late summer and I planted on the side of the vegetable garden that is protected from the western wind. Both may be responsible for the fact that all cabbages were terribly afflicted by all sorts of beasties, from tiny snails and cabbage white caterpillars to cabbage bugs and cabbage flies.
Until the beginning of winter I checked my cabbages almost every day. Picked snails and caterpillars off by hand, sprayed for flies with soapy water, trapped bugs in glass jars… And still, by October the leaves looked more like Swiss cheese than anything else. But over the winter they recuperated and produced a load of tender and sweet Brussel sprouts in February and giant white cauliflower heads by March. Even the “perpetual cabbage” I planted last spring is finally looking good on its long stalk and will make a small meal for two.
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