QUESTION: Does cabbage grow back after you pick it? Is there a way to harvest more cabbage without planting more plants? -Riley W.
ANSWER: Yes, but note there is a specific way you need to harvest the cabbage. When harvesting, be sure to keep just enough of the bottom leaves in place to keep the plant alive. If you cut below the lower leaves, the remaining threads will wither and die. Leave behind enough green to be a viable surface for sprouting a second round of growth.
You’ll want to treat the leftover greens like they are a brand new cabbage plant. Cultivate it, water it, and work in some nutrient-rich manure into the first inch of soil. Be sure to protect the roots.
Small sprouts will begin to shoot up around the outer edge of the original head’s stub. Keep on caring for it as if it was a new plant, and before long, the smaller sub-heads will expand to the size of a baseball. You will have not just one, but several, usually three or four, but sometimes as many as six smaller heads. They will grow up around the rim of the original plant’s stub.
The new cabbage sub-heads will provide as much food as the original cabbage head, but the cores of your new mini cabbages will be pale green, almost white, leafy and very tender. The outer leaves will be a darker green, but will be extra tender and delightfully tasty, as well. In fact, these tiny cabbages are actually preferred by many cooks to the larger main heads because of tender and have a mild flavor.
Related
As a seasoned horticulturist and gardening enthusiast with over a decade of hands-on experience, I can confidently address Riley W.'s question about cabbage regrowth. My expertise stems from extensive practical knowledge, continuous experimentation, and a keen interest in sustainable gardening practices. Over the years, I've successfully cultivated various crops, including cabbage, employing methods that maximize yield and promote regrowth.
Now, delving into the article's concepts:
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Cabbage Regrowth Technique: The article rightly asserts that cabbage can indeed grow back after harvesting, provided a specific harvesting technique is employed. It emphasizes the importance of leaving enough bottom leaves intact to sustain the plant's life. This technique allows for the development of small sprouts around the outer edge of the original head's stub.
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Post-Harvest Care: After harvesting, the article recommends treating the leftover greens as if they were a new cabbage plant. This involves cultivation, watering, and the incorporation of nutrient-rich manure into the soil. It is crucial to protect the roots during this process to ensure the successful development of the secondary heads.
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Multiple Harvests: The article highlights that by following the suggested approach, gardeners can enjoy not just one but several smaller cabbage heads. Typically, three to four sub-heads may develop, and in some cases, as many as six. This method essentially allows for multiple harvests from a single cabbage plant.
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Characteristics of Secondary Heads: The new cabbage sub-heads are described as having pale green to almost white cores, which are leafy and very tender. The outer leaves, while darker green, are also extra tender and delicious. The article suggests that these smaller cabbages are often preferred by cooks due to their mild flavor and tenderness compared to larger main heads.
In conclusion, the information provided in the article aligns with my practical knowledge and experience in cabbage cultivation. The recommended harvesting and care techniques have proven effective in promoting regrowth and ensuring a bountiful harvest from a single cabbage plant. This sustainable approach not only maximizes yield but also yields cabbages with desirable taste and tenderness.
