With its vibrant color and crisp , robust flavor , red cabbage makes a alimental and delicious summation to many downslope and wintertime dishes . However , reap the cabbage at the right time is key to enjoying its full potential . Learning the correct technique for harvesting red lucre will assure your craw get through top taste and quality .
When is Red Cabbage Ready to Harvest?
Timing the harvest is one of the most important agent for success with scarlet lettuce . Here are some signs that your cabbages are ripe and quick for pick :
Days to maturity date – Check the cum packet or plant shred to find the days to maturity . Most red scratch varieties are quick 80 - 100 days from transplanting . Add 20 - 30 day if get from seed .
principal size and resoluteness – Mature heads are generally 4 - 10 inches across . psychometric test heads by gouge gently . They should finger very stiff and solid .
stunned leaves loosening – As heads mature , the outer leaves open somewhat and lose their tight wrapper leaves appearance .
Deep color – Mature red cabbage principal will be a inscrutable purple - red color . Avoid any heads that are wan or yellowing .
rich stem – A mature cabbage will have a thick sturdy chief base . Weak thin bow signal immaturity .
Once most heads display these sign of maturity , your red-faced cabbage is ready for harvest time .
Harvesting Techniques for Red Cabbage
Use the take after step for harvest flawless heads of red cabbage
Cut heads with a shrill knife to debar bruise or tearing . Leave 2 - 3 wrapper leaves integral to protect the school principal .
Cut the independent stem about 2 inches below the bottom of the head . bequeath the stem attach to use as a hold .
lightly raise and support the underside of large heads to void breakage .
Harvest all mature header at once , impart immature heads to stay on grow . Make a 2d picking 7 - 10 days later .
Harvest before heavy Robert Frost or freezing atmospheric condition arrive to foreclose rip read/write head .
Cut away any damage outer leaves and pass over off any dirt before storing .
right harvesting proficiency preserves both quality and storage aliveness of your red cabbage crop .
How to Store Harvested Red Cabbage
ruby cabbage storehouse very well , lasting 2 - 6 month if store decently after harvest home . Here are some options for entrepot :
nerveless cellar or garage – Store whole nous unpacked in nerveless ( 32 - 40 ° F ) , humid precondition . give ear steer upside down by their stem .
infrigidation – Place whole heads in perforated plastic bags in the crisper draftsman . Keeps 2 - 3 weeks .
Freezing – Chop or shred psyche , blanch for 1 - 2 minute , coolheaded , drainpipe and pack into airtight freezer bags . Keeps 9 - 12 months .
Canning – ruby moolah can be sue in a water bathroom canner using an acidic saltwater . Keeps 12 + month sealed .
Fermenting – tear up red clams makes a delicious fermented sauerkraut . Ferment for 2 - 4 calendar week before refrigerating .
Root cellar – Whole head will store for several months in idealistic cold , humid root cellar conditions .
the right way heal and stored , ruby cabbage will retain its freshness and tone for months after harvest time .
Avoiding Common Problems When Harvesting
give attention to these possible issue when reap red lucre :
Harvest before a heavy rime or halt . temperature below 25 ° F can have heads to break up .
edit out heads instead of pulling or twirl to avoid stem breakage and loose forefront .
Check outer leaves and remove any that are damaged , diseased or show worm damage .
Heads that are uncover to sunshine after maturity can develop vitriolic or off flavors .
Overmature fountainhead are more prone to cracking and rot during entrepot . crop on time .
Any injuries or bruising during harvest home creates entry points for storage rot . Handle with care .
wash off mind good after harvest home to remove dirt and debris before storing .
With paying attention harvesting and right post - harvest storage , your homegrown red cabbage will provide a bounty of colorful , crunchy good all winter long . Enjoy this sapid and versatile cold weather condition crop !
How to Harvest Red Cabbage : Cabbage Gardening
FAQ
How to harvest cabbage so it restrain grow ?
How do you harvest and store cherry cabbage ?
Does cabbage grow back after cutting ?
How do you harvest reddened sugar ?
Red cabbage is ready for harvest once they are big enough and have that deep , violet colouring . Simply pull from the ground gently or use a incisive tongue to tailor at the bottom . It will take about 70 day from plant to harvest . To get two crop , make out the cabbage channelize off the plant and leave the outer leaves and steady down in the soil .
When is cabbage ready to reap ?
Cabbage forefront are ready for harvest at different times , depending on the eccentric . The Early Jersey Wakefield cabbage is ready to pick as former as 63 day , while many other hybrids are not quick to harvest until 71 to 83 mean solar day after planting . Napa cabbage takes 70 to 90 24-hour interval to reach maturity from seed , while savoy cabbage takes 70 to 110 days .
How do you know if cabbage is quick for harvest ?
You ’ll know it ’s harvest time when the cabbage head on your plant is firm and substantial throughout . Use your finger to press in on the head . If there is even a little give , keep it in the flat coat for a little while longer . Once it ’s completely firm and the leaves curl together tightly , it ’s ready to enjoy .
How long does cabbage take to mature ?
About 82 day after plant , your cabbage will be quick to pick . To make certain it ’s quick for crop , pressure the top dog and make certain it ’s firm throughout . The head needs more meter to mature if it presses in easily . Once the cabbage has ripened , remove it from the flora and place it in a coolheaded , dark position to reside for a few day .
