Brassica oleracea var. medullosa

Stalk cabbage

Common names: Cow cabbage, Stalked cabbage

Photo: Goldlocki · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

This description was machine-translated.

Description

Stalk cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. medullosa) is an old, almost forgotten field crop with a thick, fleshy stem that can reach up to two metres in height. Traditionally it was used as livestock feed, but the young leaves and tender stem core taste mild and cabbage‑like when cooked, offering a robust slice of garden heritage.

Care instructions

Provide a sunny, nutrient‑rich site from May onward and ample space, as the plant grows tall and wide. Lightly mound the lower stem and support the plant against wind to prevent tipping. Harvest leaves continuously and the stem core in late autumn when it has reached full thickness.

Companion planting

Good neighbours

Spinach Lettuce Pea Red beet

Rather not

White cabbage kale kohlrabi

Diseases & pests

2 relevant

From the knowledge base, automatically linked by affected species.

PesthighApr–Sep

Delia radicum

PesthighMay–Sep

Pieris brassicae

Notes from real gardens

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