Crop type: Cabbages
Brassica oleracea (Capitata Group) ‘Spring Hero’
Common name: Cabbage ‘Spring Hero’
Crop slug: cabbages
This Allotment Pro editorial draft summarises the cited RHS cultivar profile. Check the source and adjust cultivation decisions for local conditions.RHS cultivar profile
1 - Overview
‘Spring Hero’ is a ball-headed spring cabbage producing large, round and heavy heads. Dark blue-green outer leaves enclose a nearly white heart with a crisp texture and sweet flavour. The heads have good standing ability and are ready to harvest from March through April.
Its broad clump-forming habit and substantial round head distinguish it from the pointed spring cabbages in the parent guide. The short harvest window makes timely checking important once heads become firm.
2 - Size
- Ultimate height
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- Ultimate spread
- 0.5–1 metre
- Time to ultimate size
- 1 year
The plant spreads much more widely than it grows tall. Give it ample room so the large outer leaves can support the heavy central head without crowding neighbouring plants.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Chalk, loam and sand
- Moisture
- Well-drained
- Soil pH
- Neutral or alkaline
Grow in fertile soil that drains freely through winter. Firm ground anchors the broad plant, while neutral or alkaline conditions are preferable where clubroot is a risk.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun
- Aspect
- West- or south-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- Hardiness
- H5 — hardy in most UK locations even in severe winters, supporting autumn sowing and a March-to-April harvest
Use a sunny, sheltered bed. Secure fine mesh protects the blue-green overwintering foliage and developing heads from pigeons and other pests.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
| Season | Flowers | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | — | Blue and green | — |
| Summer | — | — | — |
| Autumn | — | Green | — |
| Winter | — | Blue and green | — |
The profile records blue-green foliage in spring and winter and green foliage in autumn. The overview separately identifies the heart as nearly white. An em dash means no colour is provided for that field and season.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump-forming
- Name status
- Accepted
Genus
Brassica includes upright annual, biennial and perennial plants with alternate, often glaucous leaves, long taproots and clusters of cross-shaped yellow or white flowers. The genus contains many food crops, including cabbages, turnips, mustards and oilseed rape.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Grow ‘Spring Hero’ in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Direct-sow from mid-August through September in drills 1cm deep, placing seed 15cm apart with 40cm between rows. Thin established seedlings to 30cm apart so the large heads can develop.
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown directly outdoors for overwintering.
Pruning
No pruning is required. Remove damaged outer leaves only where necessary, then cut the complete head when firm.
Pests
Possible pests include birds, cabbage caterpillars, cabbage gall weevil, cabbage root fly, cabbage whitefly, cutworms, flea beetles, mealy cabbage aphid, slugs, snails and swede midge. Use secure mesh and inspect regularly.
Diseases
The profile lists possible susceptibility to black rot, clubroot, downy mildew, foot and root rot, leaf spot and white blister. Rotate brassicas and provide good drainage and airflow.