Zoë Gertner gets her daily greens

Among the entries in the Veg Growers’ Competition at the local fête there were several impressive savoy cabbages shown, one of which was displayed decoratively in a traditional Sussex trug basket together with a garden trowel and fork. A trug itself is a pleasing shape, as is the cabbage with its leaves and their texture. Together with the garden tools, it could be interesting to carve – in all, a fascinating subject and a rather intricate and pretty addition to my gardening- themed woodcarvings.
When making a more complicated carving or one which you are not fully confident about, it can be helpful to separate it into smaller individual elements or ‘building blocks’ and concentrate on a specific aspect or part of it. By regarding your study as a practice piece you can forestall any difficulties that might arise when you carry out your proposed carving – a valuable and time-saving preparation in advance. Here then, in detail, is my preparatory study of the striking savoy cabbage whichI worked on before I began my intended Sussex Trug Exhibit carving.
Things you will need
Tools
- No.39, 1/4in & 1/8in V-tool
- No.3, 1/2in, 5/8in, 3/8in, 1/4in & 1/8in gouges
- No.5, 3/8in gouge
- No.9, 3/8in & 1/4in gouge
- No.9, 10 or 11, 1/8in gouge
- No.2, 1/4in or skew chisel
- Wax polish, redundant toothbrush and soft brush
Preparation


























Finishing
Erase all pencil marks and check all meeting edges are cut cleanly, including those undercut, and that there are no large gaps missed in the gouge cuts texturing the surfaces of the leaves. A simple wax polish finish and the carving buffed with a soft brush sufficed for my practice cabbage, and now my little carving of the trug and its contents in box wood (shown left) can be carved
with confidence.
