I know harvesting cabbage can sometimes be quite difficult, which is why I am here to help you!
Now you’ve taken good care of your cabbage, it’s time to harvest it. I remember my first cabbage harvest – I was so excited, I nearly yanked out the entire plant by mistake (silly, I know).
Once I figured it out, I realized how simple it actually is. The key is to loosen the cabbage before lifting it. Seriously, it’s that easy.
And in some cases, you can even use a sharp knife to cut it, and you might even get a surprise bonus of smaller heads sprouting. How cool is that?!
Stick around, and I’ll walk you through the easiest way to harvest your cabbage and make the most of your garden bounty.
It’s All About Twisting And Pulling Lightly
Pulling your entire cabbage plant (head, roots, stem, and all) comes with some serious perks, especially if you’re aiming for just one robust head. It’s kind of like thinning out seedlings when you’re aiming for a larger harvest.
Removing the whole plant clears space for more crops, and it’s the traditional way to harvest brassicas because whole plants store better in a cellar.
Some experts recommend replanting the overwintered roots in the spring for another harvest.
For large-scale harvests, pulling and then removing the roots was always my go-to method.
However, I once had crumbly soil which made the entire procedure a whole lot more difficult. I figured I’d just nestle my hands between the head and the largest leaves, bend my knees a bit, and give a firm upward pull.
Sometimes I had to use a garden fork to help loosen the soil around the base. Wiggling or twisting might also aid when pulling for that extra leverage.
Once I’ve got it out, I trim away some of the big leaves and use a knife to cut the head from the stem.
In this case, you have to be sure to harvest mature, firm heads in the cool of the morning or evening (cabbages don’t like the sun and can wilt quickly in warm weather),
This might be helpful: The 9 Cabbage Growing Stages + How To Grow This Vegetable
Use This Method To Harvest Cabbage Without Disrupting The Soil
While pulling out the entire cabbage plant has its benefits, there’s a bit of a trade-off, especially for those of us with raised beds or practicing no-till gardening.
Yanking out a big, hearty cabbage can displace soil and disturb the mini ecosystem of roots and critters living around it.
If you’re worried about disrupting your carefully tended garden, consider growing your cabbages in hanging planters or individual containers. This way, you can harvest as much as you like without disturbing the soil.
Also, don’t confuse the pull-and-twist method with another cabbage-growing trick.
Some experts suggest twisting the cabbage stem 180 degrees, bending it, or using a trowel to sever some roots to prevent the head from over-maturing. Why?
Well, that’s because overripe cabbage heads can split open, exposing the inner leaves and making them inedible. This usually happens when a drought is followed by heavy rain or excessive watering.
The cabbage, trying to absorb as much water as possible, ends up bloating and splitting. The twisting motion can help by cutting off some of the water supply and preventing that split we all try to avoid.
With these tips, you’ll be harvesting cabbage like a pro in no time. You’ll keep your soil intact and your garden happy, all while growing perfectly ripe, delicious cabbage without any bitterness.
Ready to give it a go? I’d love to hear how it turns out; so, share your harvest success stories with me!
Also read: Here’s The Perfect Timing For Planting The 5 Most Common Cabbage Types