CHOU FOURRAGER PROVER CABBAGE (brassica oleracea), also known as fodder kail, is an ancient Wild Cabbage that dates back to at least the 16th Century. Wild Cabbages were native in Europe and the Americas where Lewis and Clarke noted their presence on their expedition. This European variety is a large-leafed brassica, slightly bitter when eaten raw, but exceptionally tasty and healthy when cooked with one or two changes of water (easily done in the microwave). The plant can usually be harvested all year round, though there will be little to pick in very cold winters. Huge production that is over 2 feet high and wide in all directions and is a fast grower. 40 days. 25 seeds. ORGANICALLY GROWN
ABOUT CABBAGE: Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) is an ancient vegetable, revered by the Greeks as sacred and used by the Romans medicinally, especially to cure over-consumption. Extremely high in Vitamins C, potassium, folic acid and the Romans were right - it is useful in detoxifying the system. A good storer during winter months when fresh fare was hard to come by, cabbage is a staple in most of Europe since ancient times. There are many varieties but basically two types - spring and fall, the latter of which has longer days to harvest time frames and requires more careful management to fruition. The quick, early spring cabbages tend to be smaller. Savoy cabbages, with beautiful wrinkled leaves, which lend themselves to dishes such as cole slaw (raw) and stuff cabbage (cooked). Red cabbage is a favorite shaved thin for salads because of the exquisite coloration it adds but be sure to use interior leaves because the older wrappers can be tough. Pickled cabbage, or sauerkraut, is another method of "cooking" and storing the vegetable for long periods. Few make it from scratch these days, but it is worth the trouble - no comparison to the canned version we are familiar with. Especially with cooked for serving with apples!
MEDICINAL: With its high naturally occurring chemical content that fights or neutralizes carcinogens, cabbage is recommended for a cancer prevention diet. It is said that crushed raw cabbage is antiseptic and is a good wound dressing. It is also a natural, gentle and effective laxative if consumed on a regular basis. BUT, cabbage is not for everyone. If you eat LOTS of cabbage, you find find your thyroid enlarged (goiter), since it can inhibit thyroid hormones causing the thyroid to enlarge to produce more. Not a hazard, but not desirable, especially if you have a thyroid condition or are taking thyroid medications. Also, cabbage contains Vitamin K which is contraindicated for those taking anti-coagulants such as Comadin. The tyramine in cabbage, especially high in its cooked form, will counteract the effects of MAO inhibitors, and could lead to a hypertensive crisis.
GROWING TIPS: Unless you have an exceptionally long growing season, brassicas must be started indoors, with warmth and light. To give them a proper start requires special equipment - windowsills aren't adequate, though you will get seedlings that way, they will be spindly and not mature properly. Invest in a small seed starter kit with sterlized soil & containers, bottom heat and overhead grow light. You will not regret it! Be sure to "harden off" all seedlings before final planting. This involves giving them short exposures outdoors when planting season approaches, lengthening the time each day from a few hours to the full day and then overnight before planting. In this way, your baby plants will strengthen and really produce for you!
CHERRYGAL HEIRLOOM GARDEN SEEDS & PLANTS offer hundreds of heirloom and vintage open-pollinated varieties! Most have histories dating back centuries and are tried and true producers. Some are rare, or threatened with extinction. When you grow a plant from heirloom seed and save that seed, you are participating in a practice that goes back for generations. Our grandparents and their grandparents grew these varieties. Often the seeds were prized possessions carried to the New World when they emigrated.
Ever notice how most seed catalogs require you to buy (and pay for) much more seed than you could ever possibly use in a season? If you have a budget for garden seeds, this limits your choices! Although seeds can be viable for longer than one growing season, it requires that they be stored at a consistent temperature and humidity. Few of us do this. CherryGal sizes its seed packets for the home gardener, because we know you may want to grow 5 different lettuces, or three different corns, and don’t want to have to take out a second mortgage to do so! CHERRYGAL SEEDS ARE A TREMENDOUS BARGAIN!
All seeds offered are FRESH stock, with high germination rates. Varieties are specially selected for home gardeners. If you want the flavor you remember from grandma's kitchen garden or the beauty of her cottage flowers, choose CHERRYGAL HEIRLOOM SEEDS.
ABOUT OPEN-POLLINATED SEEDS . . . All CherryGal Heirloom Seeds are heirlooms (dating at least 100 years) or vintage (mid-20th Century or older) OPEN-POLLINATED varieties. This means saved seed will be true to the parent. Don't be dazzled by the never-ending array of hybrid seeds promoted by gardening suppliers. First, seeds from that produce will not grow true to the parent -- you have to keep buying hybrid seed. Second, most hybrids are developed for market – not home -- growers with an emphasis on extended shelf life, storage and shipping qualities -- NOT flavor, texture and all those other elements that home growers seek.
All CHERRYGAL HEIRLOOM SEEDS come from reputable growers (most of them small farms) and wherever possible ORGANIC suppliers (so noted). By buying CHERRYGAL SEEDS you are supporting the growing worldwide movement of SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE and with a little practice you will be able to save even more money in the future by growing open-pollinated varieties and saving seed for next year. Please Note: CherryGal Heirloom Seeds are guaranteed to be fresh stock, but are not guaranteed as to results (sorry - we wish we could, but there are too many variables in gardening) so please do not ask to return. However, we think you will be pleased and would like to hear about your gardening success!
SHIPPING: I endeavor to ship my seeds as quickly as possible - usually within 24 - 48 hours. If there is a need for more time, as in the case of resupply or early 2008 initial supply, you will be advised at time of purchase and shipped as soon as possible. In the event an item becomes unavailable or temporarily out of stock I will offer you a chance to substitute another selection or refund you immediately. I package my seeds for shipping in a manner appropriate to the amount and type of seed - larger orders and larger seeds require more packaging. I also combine multiple orders of the same seed variety, where practical, in one envelope unless you request otherwise. This is an ecological measure, not a cost-saving one.
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