La Galician cabbage, Also known as Galician cabbage, forage cabbage, horse cabbage, open cabbage or Galician cabbage, is a traditional vegetable from Galicia that stands out for its resistance and versatility, both in the garden and in gastronomy. Throughout the article, you will discover all the secrets to grow Galician cabbage at home successfully, leveraging traditional knowledge and current best practices, and you will gain in-depth knowledge of its properties, planting methods, protection against pests and diseases, as well as its countless culinary and nutritional uses.
What is Galician cabbage?
Galician cabbage is a variety of Brassica oleracea var. viridis, belonging to the Brassicaceae family. Although it's native to the north of the Iberian Peninsula and the Mediterranean, it has spread to different regions due to its easy adaptation and high nutritional value. Its large green leaves, thick stem, and firm texture make it instantly recognizable. It's a biennial plant, meaning it develops leaves during its first cycle, and during the second, if allowed, it flowers and produces seeds.
Characteristics of Galician cabbage
- Ports: Herbaceous plant, with a short or thick stem, which can reach a significant height depending on the variety.
- Sheets: Large, firm, light to dark green, slightly curled at the edges, nutritious and edible.
- Flowering: It forms yellow inflorescences in its second year if not harvested before.
- Root system: Deep and pivoting, allowing it to make good use of soil moisture and nutrients.
- Stem: It may develop into a woody form as it ages.
Nutritional properties and health benefits
Galician cabbage is not only essential in Galician cuisine, but it also contributes very high nutritional values. Its components include:
- Vitamins: Rich in vitamin A, C, K, B1, B2, B6, E and folic acid.
- Minerals: It provides calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, zinc and selenium.
- Fiber: Provides dietary fiber, ideal for the digestive system.
- Antioxidants: It contains phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid that help the immune system and act as natural antioxidants.
- Beneficial compounds: It includes glucosinolates and sulfur elements with detoxifying and healing properties.
Regular consumption of kale helps strengthen the immune system, prevents degenerative diseases, and is beneficial for digestive problems, hypoglycemia, ulcers, respiratory conditions, and more. Its external use, as a poultice, has traditionally been used to heal sores, ulcers, and hangovers.
Varieties of Galician cabbage
- Asturian or yellow cabbage: Curly, yellowish-green leaves, large and without cabbage.
- Common cabbage: Smooth, long leaves, glaucous (greyish green) on the outside and whitish on the inside, intense aroma.
- Curly cabbage: Very curly leaves with whitish veins, usual height of 60-80 cm.
Soil requirements and preparation
To Grow Galician cabbage successfully It is essential to choose the right location and soil:
- Climate: It prefers temperate to cool, humid climates, tolerating frost and even snow well when fully grown. It adapts to different altitudes and can withstand low temperatures, even improving its flavor.
- Ground: Deep, medium- to clayey-textured, fertile, rich in organic matter, and well-drained. The ideal pH is between 6 and 7, slightly acidic to neutral.
- Preparation: Work the soil thoroughly first, adding mature compost, well-composted manure, or livestock slurry in the case of organic farming (4-5 kg/m²). After this, perform a surface harrowing to leave the soil loose and well prepared.
- Fertilization: Cabbage requires a base fertilizer before planting, especially with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Apply a top dressing in two stages (for example, 30 and 50 days after transplanting), alternating with organic fertilizers.
- Avoid waterlogging: Waterlogged soil encourages fungal diseases and poor growth.
Light and location requirements
Galician cabbage develops perfectly in full sunHowever, in particularly hot or dry regions during the summer, it is advisable to use shade cloth to prevent leaf burn. If the garden is partially shaded, it can tolerate this, but will produce fewer leaves. For optimal development and more tender leaves, always choose a location with good direct sunlight.
Irrigation and humidity
Irrigation is a fundamental factor:
- Constant and moderate: The soil should be kept moist but never waterlogged. Cabbage tolerates continuous moisture better than prolonged drought.
- Recommended methods: Use drip irrigation or drip irrigation, which delivers water directly to the roots and minimizes leaf disease. Overhead irrigation is only recommended in low-humidity areas and never at night.
- Seasonal adjustment: In summer, increase the frequency of watering (every 4-5 days or more if it is very hot), and in cool seasons, water every 5-6 days, adjusting to rainfall and ambient humidity.
Sowing time and method
The flexibility of the Galician cabbage allows it to be planted year-round in regions without severe frosts, although it thrives best when sown in spring (for fall-winter harvest) or summer (for winter harvest). If you live in a cold, frost-prone area, you can start the crop under protection or in a seedbed, and transplant when the seedlings have 4 to 6 true leaves.
- Direct sowing: Make furrows 3 cm deep, maintaining a distance of 25-50 cm between plants depending on the variety and available space.
- Seedbeds: Use trays or beds rich in organic substrate, place 1-2 seeds per alveolus or every 8-10 cm, and transplant after 40-45 days, once the plants are well developed.
- Planting frame: They recommend 0,8 m between rows and 0,6 m between plants for large varieties.
- Crop rotation: Essential for preventing diseases and maintaining soil fertility. Avoid repeating the cultivation of kale or other brassicas in the same area for at least three cycles.
Seedling care and development
During the first few weeks after transplanting, it's vital to monitor humidity and protect seedlings from pests such as birds, slugs, or snails, which can uproot or devour the young plants. You can use physical barriers or protective systems such as fine mesh.
As the plant grows:
- Thinning: If you planted directly in the ground, thin to leave the recommended distance between plants.
- Periodic fertilization: Apply organic fertilizers every 25-30 days during growth.
- Weed removal: Essential especially in the first months to prevent them from competing for light and nutrients.
Cultivation associations
Cabbage develops shallow roots and its leaves grow elevated, which can lead to competition for light with other nearby plants. It's recommended to associate it with compatible, low-growing species, avoiding crops that could restrict its growth. Some beneficial associations:
- Comrades: Calendula, chives, basil, legumes (which fix nitrogen in the soil).
- Avoid: Plant alongside other brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.) to reduce the risk of common diseases and pests.
Common pests and diseases
Galician cabbage is resistant, but can be affected by:
- Cabbage caterpillar (Pieris brassicae): A butterfly that lays eggs on the underside of leaves (orange in color). The green, black-spotted caterpillars can devour entire plants in just a few days. Manual removal of caterpillars and eggs is recommended, along with companion planting with repellent plants. Or, consult how to grow cabbage at the cultivation of cabbage.
- Aphids and aphids: They attack under humid and weak conditions. Organic remedies such as potassium soap or garlic extract can help.
- Snails and slugs: Main damage to seedlings. Use physical barriers or remove manually.
- Angular stain (Xanthomonas campestris): Causes dark spots on leaves, avoid excess moisture and practice crop rotation.
- False measuring rods and cabbage worms: They are less frequent but it is advisable to keep an eye on them.
The most effective preventative strategies include the use of floating covers, manual control and the use of Bacillus thuringiensis in case of large infestations.
Reproduction of Galician cabbage
- By seeds: This is the most common method, choosing certified and healthy seeds. You can also learn about the meaning of the different varieties of the St. John's wort.
- By stem cuttings: Some varieties and conditions allow rooting of cuttings.
- Seed production: The plant flowers and sets seeds in its second cycle if not harvested beforehand. To prevent cross-pollination, separate cabbage crops from other brassicas by at least 1.000 m.
The seed pods should be harvested when they are brown and dried in a well-ventilated, shaded area. They can be stored for up to 4 years in a cool, dry place.
Harvesting and preservation
The outer leaves of the Galician cabbage are harvested continuously as needed. This method allows the plant to continue producing new leaves well into autumn. Larger, tougher leaves can be harvested for fodder. If seed is desired, select vigorous plants that have not had their leaves harvested and allow them to flower the second year.
For its conservation:
- Keep them fresh in the refrigerator, wrapped in damp paper.
- They can also be frozen after a brief blanching.
Culinary and medicinal uses
La Galician cabbage It is the basis of the famous Galician broth, but its applications go much further:
- Traditional dishes: Used in stews, casseroles, stews, side dishes, omelets and salads.
- Cooking: They can be eaten raw (in salads), steamed, or sautéed. To preserve most of their nutrients, it's recommended to gently cook or steam them.
- Forage: Larger leaves for animal feed, especially in rural areas.
- Traditional medicine: Skin poultices, juices for respiratory and digestive ailments.
Additional tips and curiosities
- Adaptation: It adapts to temperate, humid climates and even tolerates slightly alkaline soils (up to 7,5). For more details, consult our the cultivation of vines.
- Flowerpot: It can be grown in large, deep pots using universal substrate with 30-40% perlite.
- Sweetness when cold: At low temperatures, the plant accumulates more sugar in the leaves to protect itself from the cold, resulting in a sweeter and more pleasant flavor in the cold months.
- Nutritional comparison: Cabbage has a nutritional profile comparable to other brassicas such as broccoli or kale, but it stands out for its hardiness and prolonged leaf production.
Galician cabbage is, without a doubt, a fundamental vegetable for anyone who wants to enjoy a productive, sustainable, and flavorful garden. With its multiple uses, easy cultivation, and high nutritional value, it is essential for both small family gardens and professional farms. Growing, caring for, and utilizing it in the kitchen or home is synonymous with health and a tradition rooted in the agricultural culture of Galicia and the entire northern Iberian Peninsula.
