Quick facts
| Arabic name | الملفوف (الكرنب) |
|---|---|
| English name | Cabbage |
| Scientific name | Brassica oleracea var. capitata |
| Family | Cabbage family (Brassicaceae) |
| Plant type | Leafy vegetable grown yearly |
| Height | 30 to 50 cm |
| Water use | Medium |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
September to October
Harvest time
December to February
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
Wide, thick, waxy leaves wrap together into a hard green or purple-red head.
Where it grows
Grown in open fields in winter in central and northern Saudi Arabia.
Soil
Rich loamy soil. It handles light salt.
Water and irrigation
Regular watering to keep soil moist while the head forms.
Climate and light
Likes cool weather and handles light frost.
Propagation
By seed in a nursery, then moving the seedlings.
Benefits and uses
- Rich in vitamins C and K
- Eaten raw, cooked or pickled
- Stores well
- Gives a big yield
Drawbacks
- Cabbage worms and aphids attack it
- Heads split with uneven watering
- Not suited to heat
Important notes
Red cabbage has more antioxidants than green cabbage.
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Brassica oleracea var. capitata
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Brassica oleracea var. capitata
- Wikipedia: Cabbage
- FAO Crop Calendar - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)