Cabbages

Sorry to appear daft but I really do not get cabbages
There are lots of planting/ harvesting times on the packets, but
1. if I sow cabbages now when will they be ready to eat, and
2. if I want cabbages to eat through the winter when should I start the seed off.

I will start in pots and plant out later if that makes any difference to the answer.

Also does anyone have any recommendations for a good small cabbage for overwintering.

Cheers

Elaine

the Moles chart shows the winter cabbages, but the site's sowing chart shows the summer and spring ones as well 

http://www.allotment-garden.org/vegetable/general/sowing-harvest-vegetable-chart.php

so if you sow now/beginning of March they will be summer cabbages ready in July (maybe a bit earlier)