West Coast Seeds (Red Scarvita Cabbage)

Ingenious plant breeding has produced this amazing red sui choi (napa cabbage). The leaves are red throughout, but never bitter in this upright fall harvest wonder. Sow Red Scarvita several times starting June 15 for harvests from September to November. The leaves look incredible in salads and they keep their colour when lightly cooked. Lightweight row cover is recommended, as this beauty gets sown at the peak of the small white butterfly (cabbage moth) population. A simple physical barrier will prevent insect damage.

TIPS: Cabbage heads are ready when they’re firm to the touch, and when the interior is fairly dense. Heads will split when they’re allowed to overly mature. Rapid growth due to excess watering and fertility will also cause splitting of the head. Plant early, mid-season and late varieties to spread out your harvest. Late varieties tend to be better for storage or for making sauerkraut. Early (summer harvest) varieties tend not to store as well.