Cabbage production is one of the profitable vegetable production ventures in Zimbabwe. Cabbage forms a notable part of the Zimbabwean diet. It is mainly used in salads and even as a relish. Most Zimbabweans consider its low cost and as such include it on their groceries list every month. There are numerous different types of cabbages that one can cultivate in Zimbabwe. Some of them mature so early that if you plant them now you can harvest before the year ends. Let us look at some of the cabbage varieties in Zimbabwe.

Chinese Granat

This is a widely adopted cabbage variety i.e. it can thrive in almost any location in Zimbabwe. It is an early maturing variety whose shape is long and cylindrical. Mature heads can weigh around 2 kilograms. Its colour is green and can be grown for fresh market produce or just home consumption.

Copenhagen Market

This again is widely adapted, has a short stem and considerable leaf wrapping. Its maturation duration is mild early and its shape is round. At maturity, the head can weigh around 1 to 1.75 kilograms. It’s colour it’s a cross of blue and green. It is also suitable for the fresh market or home growing.

Corton F1

This is typically a large variety most notable for its resistance to black rot. Maturation takes about 80 days and its shape is round. It is quite possible to get heads weighing around 5 kilograms. Its colour is grey-green. It is suitable for both the fresh market and home growing.

Daphne F1 Savoy

This one grows and thrives exceptionally well. It has a superior taste and takes around 70 days to mature. It has a round shape and can weigh between 2 and 3 kilograms at maturity. Its colour is blue-green and fits well for both the fresh market and home growing.

Delight F1

This is yet another variety that is black rot-resistant. It takes about 75 days to reach maturity. The head shape is flat or round – can weigh around 5 kilograms. The colour is again blue-green. Suited for the fresh market and home growing; just like several other varieties.

Drumhead

This is a standard variety with a short frame and short stem. This one is suitable for late harvest. Maturation is mild early and the head shape is flat. Head weight is roughly 3 kilograms and the colour is green. It is suitable for the fresh market and home growing.

Escazu F1

This produces large uniform heads and is resistant to black rot. It is also resistant to fusarium yellow and diamond black moths. Maturation takes 80 days and the head shape is round. Head weight is 4 kilograms and the colour is grey-green. It can be grown at home or for the fresh market.

Fabiola F1

It is also resistant to black rot, fusarium yellow and diamond black moth. It takes them 65 days to mature and the head shape is round. Head weight can be around 5 kilograms and the colour is blue-green. It can be grown at home or for the fresh market.

Marcanta F1

This one is resistant to black rot and fusarium yellow. The head shape is round and maturation takes 80 days. Head size is roughly 5 kilograms and the colour is blue-green. They can be grown at home or for the fresh market.

Red Sky F1

This is a large frame variety and looks quite ornamental given its unique colour. It matures in about 70 to 75 days and its shape is round. Head size is around 2 kilograms and the colour is bright red. They can be done for the fresh market or home growing.

Sugar Loaf (Cape Sptz)

This is also a large frame variety whose maturation is mild early. The head shape is pointed and the head size is around 2 kilograms. The colour is light-green and can be propagated for the fresh market or home growing.

Triperio F1

This is a strong variety with resistance against black rot, thrips, and diamond black moth. It also has a strong resistance against fusarium wilt. It has a strong stem elevation above the ground. Maturity is reached after 75 to 80 days. The colour is blue-green and heads are usually uniform in size weighing at least 5 kilograms. This variety is best suited for fresh market growers.

So these are 12 of some of the cabbage varieties you can grow in Zimbabwe. As you noticed they can all be grown at home (for subsistence) or for the fresh market. It is only the Triperio F1 variety that is specifically meant for fresh market growth. It is not too late to venture into cabbage farming this year. Better still you can start preparing to start in 2022.