Here's the stem. Sorry it's blurry. Doesn't look that big in pic but it is!! thanks for looking.

Sometimes if you cut it back just above ground it will leaf out again for fall. I generally yank them out of the ground in June when the weather heats up and they start looking ratty and plant new, fresh plants for fall and winter. If I keep them from freezing, they often overwinter and bloom until May or June, depending on when I planted them in the fall.

Your green cat looks like an imported cabbage worm and they are the larva of a white butterfly with dark brown or black spots on the wings. There are other green cats you'll find on plants in the cole family too, including cabbage loopers.

I planted these last yr and was surprised they made it through the winter! They did bloom in May and June. They've been pretty all summer tall and pretty. Just don't like the cats eating them. :( made them look ugly
Thanks.

Not to mention you're growing cabbage butterflies. Definitely not good for next year's cabbage and broccoli crop.