red cabbage problem

[petlor]

I planted some 5 red cabbage late last year in a large tub . I now have them about 18/24 inches tall but they do not seem to have any middle heart just loads of leaves. what have i done wrong or is it too early to worry yet . Have they bolted or has the frost done it . They are in a protected area but did not have any cover over them when the weather was bad..
Any advice is most welcome.

[lottie dolly]

they need to be 18--24in apart,and in firm ground,if the leaves are ok,i would pick and use,

[sewer rat]

I think you may have planted them a bit too late. Red Cabbage should be planted no later than your savoys or winter cabbage - they may stand the winter but they need to have matured before it. Also as lottie dolly says, they are possibly too close together and like all brassicas, they do prefer firm ground. I suspect that if you leave the plants in again for this season to see if they will heart up, they will just run to seed. I too would suggest you just pick the leaves and use them now. Hope this helps.

[gojiberry]

Red cabbage need to go in fairly early in the season to give them plenty of time to produce a good solid heart before winter. As suggested the chances are that they will now go to seed.

Ian

[petlor]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I will use the leaves and try again later this year

cheers all.

[lottie dolly]

i already have 2 lots on the go,aprox 2in high,and some more just poking through the compost,and will try some more a bit later on,just to see how things go,and hopefully not get them all at once,