An outstanding variety. Ideal for small gardens. Hispi can be grown at virtually any season of the year and comes to maturity faster than cabbages specially created for specific seasons. Even autumn sown it will beat the earliest of the spring cabbages. It is a pointed type, strong and uniform and with a beautifully sweet flavour. A Jan/Feb sowing fills the late spring gap in cropping. Bolt resistant.

For the earliest crops sow under glass in late winter and plant out early spring. For succession sow outdoors from spring to mid summer in a well prepared seed bed. Sow thinly 12mm (½in) deep in rows 23cm (9in) apart. If the soil is dry water well and allow to drain before sowing.

Hispi can also be sown in autumn, overwintered in a coldframe and planted out in early spring.

Transplant at the 5-6 leaf stage allowing 46-60cm (18-24in) between plants. The soil should be firm and contain plenty of well rotted compost, preferably from a previous crop, it should also be well limed. Just before planting, rake in 3oz/sq yd of a balanced fertiliser.

Hoe occasionally, water if the weather is dry and give liquid feed as the heads start to develop. Harvest in summer and autumn.