[Sue32]

Is there a Red Cabbage for the winter that is a small head that can be planted closer in my small raised beds,     (the equivalent of summer Hispi)
We only eat small amounts so would prefer teh smaller heads, plus the big cabbages and brassicas take up so much room.

PS - what do teh seed catalogues mean by 'drumhead' cabbage - is that the big football-like heads?

[Beetroot queen]

I would love some red cabbge too so will watch this post for answers  :happy:

[Sue32]

well BQ I  guess we'll have to go without red cabbages this year   
If there's an answer these guys always post quickly.

I found this variety on the T&M site.  Redcap F1 Hybrid  Says sow until May and harvest until Nov.  so maybe next year we can do better.

[Beetroot queen]

will have a go next year then, we can compare notes 

[Lardman]

I've been growing redcap for the last couple of years. Makes a cabbage about the size of a CD. Ideal for 1-2 meals. I put 4 in a 4x4 square last year the outer leaves were a little squashed but the heads were nice enough. I could have probably put 6 in there without too much trouble.

Not sure if they'd bolt putting them in now - if you've got seed & space ID have a go.

[Bozwell]

Fothergills got an F1 red cabbage called rodeo that will hold to December. They say the size is medium though it doesn't look that big in the picture.

[Bozwell]

Maybe you could try red kale as an alternative to your red cabbage, very winter hardy and like the green kale just pick what you need.

[Sue32]

thanks for help.  I've not grown cabbage before so silly Q.  What will happen if I put them closer together than they ideally like, will I just get smaller heads (which is what I would really like)  - or do they fail completely?

[Bozwell]

I planted my pointed red cabbage as a catch crop this year between my sprouts and they have turned in to monsters. My sprouts are starting to look like the catch crop.