Organic Daubenton Perpetual Cabbage - Brassica oleracea

Brassica oleracea Daubenton is a perennial cabbage that does not form a head and is grown for its young shoots with a taste similar to broccoli. Hardy and not very sensitive to cabbage white butterflies and flea beetles, this cabbage is ideal for permaculture and can be grown in the vegetable garden for several years. Plant it in April-May and harvest the leaves from September to May.

Like other cabbages, Brassica oleracea Daubenton  belongs to the Brassicaceae family (formerly Cruciferae). It has a bushy habit over time and reaches a height of 90 cm (35in). It is a perennial and hardy plant that can be grown in the vegetable garden for several years, around 5 to 7 years. The perennial cabbage does not form a head but produces lateral shoots. These young shoots have a taste similar to broccoli and can be eaten raw or cooked. They can be cooked in various ways: gratins, soups, stuffed, in slow-cooked dishes or in salads. In the vegetable garden, plant the perennial cabbage near mint or lettuce and keep it away from alliums and other cabbages. One remarkable advantage: it is not very sensitive to cabbage white butterflies and flea beetles.

Harvest: from the 2^nd year onwards, pick the shoots growing on the stems as needed, from September to May. However, the leaves are most tender in spring. Harvest regularly to promote a compact habit and the production of new leaves.

Storage: consume the leaves quickly after harvest. However, you can store them in the refrigerator for a few days.

Gardener's tip: to limit watering, we recommend mulching the soil with thin successive layers of grass clippings, preferably mixed with dead leaves. This protection, which keeps the soil moist, also limits weed growth.