(Brassica oleracea) We tend to listen to what Marko and Hanako of Midori Farm in Quilcene, WA (producers of our favorite sauerkrauts) have to say about cabbage, so when Marko told me ‘Dowinda’ was one of his favorite storage varieties several years back, that was about as good an endorsement as any trial result. Vigorous and uniform, it produces medium to large, oblong (but not pointed), dense, green heads that are very cold-hardy and store well into the winter. The eating quality makes it a storage standout, very sweet and crisp. Dowinda is as good an OP cabbage as we've seen, and we'd put it up against virtually any of the storage hybrids on the market. The density of the heads is impressive, with the layers of leaves sometimes barely perceptible as the interior appears a solid mass.
Highly recommended. Bred by Dieter Bauer at the biodynamic farm and community Dottenfelder Hof near Frankfurt.
100 days. UO

Packet: 100 seeds

*This seed has tested negative for both Black Leg (Phoma lingam) and Black Rot (Xanthomonas campestris) as required by the WA Dept of Ag crucifer seed quarantine.

[split]

Growing Info

SOWING:

Sow indoors in late Spring.

Transplant out 4-6 week-old plants (June/July).

Direct seed late Spring.

Note: Seedlings will tolerate light frosts.

PLANTING DEPTH:

1/4"

SPACING:

18-24" in rows 18-30" apart.

EMERGENCE:

4-10 days @ soil temp 60-75F.

LIGHT:

Full sun to part shade

FERTILITY:

Moderate-Heavy. Slow-release fertilizers are beneficial for extended harvests of bunching greens. Prefers well-drained, evenly moist soil with moderate, balanced fertility and a pH between 6.0-7.5.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Prefers cooler seasons of Spring and Fall but will tolerate high heat.

Cold-hardy and will survive moderate frost.

Floating row covers can help protect against flea beetles.

Cabbage, 'Dowinda'