Unlike spring when you can plant virtually anything your heart desires it can be tough to know what to grow during autumn and winter. The cooler temperatures and frosts stop many plants in their tracks before they even get going.

But they don't stop our friend the cabbage. In fact, cabbages are renown for their ability to thrive in colder climates. Making now the perfect time to plant this common brassica.

If the word cabbage summons memories of pungent smelling over cooked shredded leaves, think again. With the right techniques - including sautèing, stir-frying or using fresh - cabbage will taste fantastic. Plus it's really good for you - high in fibre and vitamin C and low in kilojoules.

And there are many different types of cabbage available. At Awapuni we grow golden acre, savoy, hybrid, red, spring and let's not forget chinese cabbage, which comes from a slightly different branch of the brasscia family. Savoy is great for wrapping around different fillings. Golden acre, red and spring are perfect for making coleslaw.

You can pick up some cabbage seedlings next time you're at your local supermarket or Bunnings. Otherwise, check out our online store and get your seedlings delivered direct to your door.

Once you've got your seedlings the hardest part about growing them is finding somewhere to plant them. You need a bit of space - each seedling will need to be grown around 300mm apart from the others. And you need to make sure you haven't planted any other members of the brassica genus (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts etc) in the same spot recently. This will prevent your plants getting club root - a disease, which stops the heads on your brassicas developing fully.

If you don't have enough room in your vege patch, why not plant outside the square (so to speak) and try growing them as an edible border somewhere else in your garden. Cabbages - particularly if you have different colours - can look fantastic if grown in lines or patterns.

Wherever you grow your cabbages, add some lime to the soil prior to planting, which will also help prevent club root. Then simply plant your seedlings.

As with many good things, cabbages take time to mature. You can expect to harvest your hardy and healthy plants around spring time.