Perennial head cabbage?

I was surprised to see a new gorgeous cabbage head forming on the stalk of last years cabbage. I harvested a head from this last fall and looks like I could again this fall. But if I harvest the head, I can’t get seed, right? I think I need to leave the head and then in spring I should get flowers? Cabbage experts please advise.

Oh here’s the pic

I am not an expert though I can say that Cabbage is a biennial plant.

A lot of plants that folks treat as annual are in fact biennial plants.

Beautiful head of cabbage.  I have no experience with cabbage when it sends up a flower stalk.  Is the head still good?  

Anne Miller wrote:I am not an expert though I can say that Cabbage is a biennial plant.

A lot of plants that folks treat as annual are in fact biennial plants.

Beautiful head of cabbage.  I have no experience with cabbage when it sends up a flower stalk.  Is the head still good?  

Hi, Anne, it is beautiful, I’m so proud of it! I had two or three other cabbages next to it last yay but only this one returned for an encore. My dad is a conventional farmer and when he grew cabbage for seed while I was still at home, there were two jobs I remember doing in the cabbage field. One was pulling wild mustard so it wouldn’t cross, and the other was cutting a small whole in the top of the head to let the flower stalk come through. So I’m guessing that’s what I have to do. I did text him to ask him and he says that’s what I have to do, but I’m hoping there’s possibly a way for me to eat my cabbage and have my seeds too.

Replying to myself. Now my dad says he’s not sure how to advise me because they have always planted in fall for spring heads and flowers. If I get a flower now, the frost will kill it.

In my experience brassica will overwinter and flower in spring. I think if you leave it this time that is what will happen. It might look a bit messy as the flower escapes from the cabbage heart but I think it would do so. Mine are all loose and kale like though so I don't really write from experience.
I'm very impressed you've got your cabbage and eaten it too!

Nancy Reading wrote:In my experience brassica will overwinter and flower in spring. I think if you leave it this time that is what will happen. It might look a bit messy as the flower escapes from the cabbage heart but I think it would do so. Mine are all loose and kale like though so I don't really write from experience.
I'm very impressed you've got your cabbage and eaten it too!

Thanks, Nancy. I think what I will do it leave it till spring and then make the cut for the flower stalk.