Cabbage Cuor di Bue Grosso

What Cabbage Cuor di Bue Grosso is

Cabbage Cuor di Bue Grosso (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is an annual vegetable of the Cabbage family (Brassicaceae). Cuor di Bue Grosso literally translates as "Big Ox Heart".

An early variety that produces a medium-sized, conical head and well-wrapped, light green leaves.

This very fine cabbage variety is suitable for a wide range of uses.

They are crisp and sweet, excellent eaten fresh in salads or cooked.

White cabbage is the basis of winter produce – for sauerkraut, stuffed cabbage leaves, salads and stews. Early varieties are for summer, late ones for sauerkraut.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 88%
• Pack size: 1 g
• Seed origin: Denmark
• Sowing: April and May; seedlings
• Harvest: August and September
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Cabbage Cuor di Bue Grosso

Cabbage Cuor di Bue Grosso seeds are sown in April and May. Harvest in August and September. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Cabbage Cuor di Bue Grosso

• Sowing method: seedlings
• Depth: 1 cm
• Spacing: 50–70 cm
• Germination: 5–10 days at 15–20 °C
• Position: sunny spot

All brassica crops grow best in partial shade, in firm, fertile soil with free drainage. However, cabbage will not grow if the soil is too acid; reduce the acidity by aiming for a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Sow from February to March or directly outdoors from May to June. Almost all cabbage varieties should be sown indoors and then transplanted. The seeds should be sown thinly, as this reduces the amount of thinning needed later and the potential risk of pests. Sow the seeds at a depth of 1.2 cm. and a spacing of 15 to 20 cm. between the rows. Once the seeds have germinated, thin the seedlings to 7.5 cm. between each plant. Cabbage seedlings are ready for planting when they are between 6 and 8 cm tall. Water the soil before transplanting and keep well watered until established. Plant firmly, close together for small heads and wider apart for larger cabbages, about 30 to 45 cm apart. Cabbage seedlings are ready for transplanting when they are between 6 and 8 cm (2½ to 3 inches) tall. Remove any yellow leaves. Feed the plants when they are close to maturity with a foliar feed. Maturing in 65 to 75 days, it can be grown close together, only 30 cm apart, and is a great addition to a smaller garden. It can be harvested early for smaller heads or left to grow on. They will stand well in the field or can be harvested and stored for up to 10 weeks. Harvest the cabbages between August and September. The earliest heads can be cut, leaving the stump in the ground to produce a second crop of small leafy heads.

Plant the seedlings in fertile, moist soil in the sun. Cabbage is greedy for water and nitrogen; protect it from cabbage white butterflies and flea beetles.

Harvest and use

Harvest when the heads are dense and firm; late varieties before hard frosts.

Frequently asked questions

When should Cabbage Cuor di Bue Grosso be sown?

The recommended sowing months are April and May. Sowing method: seedlings.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 88%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

Which variety is for sauerkraut?

Late varieties with large, dense heads are best for sauerkraut.