September 2025: Chinese Cabbage

This month’s seed kit features Chinese Cabbage. To support our environment, some seed kit materials are now available digitally. 

Chinese Cabbage

Also known as Napa Cabbage, this heirloom variety features densely packed, crisp leaves with sweet, mild flavor. Its large, flexible outer leaves are perfect for stuffed cabbage rolls. Heirloom, Non-GMO. 

Planting Instructions

Culture: Chinese cabbage prefers cool temperatures and can be planted in fall or spring when temperatures are mild. Plant in full sun, or part shade in warmer climates, using shade cloth if temperatures rise.

Directly sow seeds ½ inch deep and 4 inches apart into loamy, well-draining soil amended with compost and fertilizer. Keep the soil moist, but avoid overwatering.

Chinese cabbage is a heavy feeder and requires regular fertilization. Crop rotation is important for all brassicas and can help prevent diseases and pests. Use floating row covers to deter pests.

Harvest: This variety of Chinese cabbage matures in 80 days, forming barrel-shaped heads that weigh 6-7 lbs. Harvest the entire head when firm. 

More About Chinese Cabbage

Chinese Cabbage has quite a history! It is actually the result of a hybridization between those hardy and nutritious vegetables, the turnip and Bok Choy in the Yangtze valley. Records dating to 14th century China indicate that Chinese cabbage was thought to have medicinal properties and was quite popular! It is also a symbol of prosperity, and often appears in Chinese porcelain.

From China, it spread to Korea to become an important component of kimchi, and then onto Japan where the variety found in this seed kit, the Kyoto No. 3, was developed. In fact, the “napa” of Napa Cabbage is from the Japanese and refers to the leaves of a vegetable.

Nutritionally, Chinese Cabbage is a very low-calorie food that is rich in antioxidants and a great source of dietary fiber. It is an excellent source of folates and vitamin C. It also supplies vitamins K and A, as well as other nutrients making Chinese Cabbage a great addition to your diet.

Napa Cabbage Dumplings

 Serves: 30 dumplings    Prep time: 20 minutes   Cook Time: 10-20 minutes 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of Napa cabbage, finely chopped
• ½ lb. of ground pork or chicken, or 1 cup of finely chopped mushrooms
• 1 small carrot, grated
• 1 tbsp. of sesame oil
• 1 tsp. of grated fresh ginger
• 2 green onions, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp. of soy sauce
• ½ tsp. of sugar
• Pinch of white pepper
• ½ tsp. kosher salt
• Dumpling wrappers
• 1 tbsp. of Shaoxing wine (optional)

Instructions:

1. Toss chopped Napa cabbage with salt into a bowl and let sit for 10 minutes. Squeeze out excess water using a towel. In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients with the drained cabbage and mix thoroughly. Chill mixture for 15 minutes.
2. Place 1 tsp. in the center of each wrapper. Wet the edges with water, fold into a half-moon or triangle, and seal tightly. Keep assembled dumplings covered with a damp towel.
3. Dumplings can be boiled, steamed, or pan-fried.
   1. Boiling: Boil water in a large pot, drop in dumplings; stir gently. when they float, add ½ cup of cold water. Repeat 2x, when they float again, (6 – 8 minutes) remove and serve hot.
   2. Steaming: Steam over high heat for 10–12 mins in a bamboo or metal steamer.
   3. Pan-Fried:  Heat oil in a nonstick pan, add dumplings, fry the bottom until golden, add ¼ cup of water, cover and steam 5–6 mins, uncover, cook off water and crisp the bottom.

Craft: Botanical Impression Magnets

You’ll Need:

• Polymer clay in terra cotta
• Rolling pin
• Acrylic paint
• Fresh leaves
• Clay-friendly glue

Instructions:

1. Take a 1-inch piece of clay and knead until it softens and rolls into a ball. With a small rolling pin, roll out the clay into an oval shape, about 1/4 inch thick.
2. Place your leaf over the clay oval. With your rolling pin, carefully press the leaf into the clay. Be careful not to flatten the clay too much.
3. Carefully lift the leaf from the clay. Bake the clay according to package directions. Let cool and harden.
4. Paint the impression with acrylic paint and let it dry.
5. Glue the magnet to the back of the clay and let it set for 24 hours. Find a place to display your work!