Cabbage From The Garden

As a first year veggie gardener, I've been trying a little of this and that to see what grows well for me , i.e., meaning that I'm not known for a green thumb. :D For winter crops, I planted a small space with broccoli and cabbage. The main reason for wanting to grow cabbage, as well as broccoli, is that I've read how both these vegetables may give extra protection against the growth of cancer cells. Here is an article that I just ran across today. I do not buy into all that is "thought," but if eating certain veggies or fruits give you an edge over cancer or other serious illnesses, bring it on. I'll include it in my diet if it is the least bit palatable, except Brussel sprouts. If there is a health benefit to that vegetable, I'll pass.

I've been holding off harvesting the cabbage since I could not forget seeing little, green worms turning the leaves into lace. Look, I'm a city girl through and through and only know to visit a grocery for fresh fruit and vegetables. But with this recall and that recall, I do not overly trust the grocery; hence, the garden. I'm also trying to overlook the fact that insects are around when growing your own. I abhor creepy, crawlie things.

Ten years ago I planted a tomato bush. One day I stopped to break off some suckers, etc. When I pulled my arm away from the bush it was covered with green horn worms. I freaked out. I never touched the bush again and it died. Last year was my first attempt in 10 years to grow tomatoes. It was a bad year for tomatoes for all, but rest assured, every time I was fiddling around the tomato bushes, I was on the lookout for green horned worms.

I'm doing a pot of pinto beans for dinner tonight. I've always seasoned my beans with ham or bacon but have sworn off pork for a variety of reasons. I'm trying to get a good flavor in the beans which is not happening at the moment. Hubby thought cole slaw would be good along with the beans which is why the cabbage was harvested. The cabbage made it through an ice storm in January and this week's snow.


When slicing the cabbage, I looked for dead green worms trapped between the leaves but nary a one was found. Seasoned gardeners are probably laughing their heads off at me. Instead of cole slaw, I mixed up an all-in-one dish of extra lean, ground round, onions, garlic, cabbage, carrots, and corn. The cabbage was very tasty and there are three cabbage heads yet to be harvested.

Spring is just around the corner. What are your gardening plans? Are you preparing your garden for Spring plantings? If so, veggies, flowers or combination? Will you be buying plants or start from seed?

Until next time, God bless.