According to most vegetable gardeners Cabbage is actually one
of the easiest and most rewarding vegetables to grow from seed. Cabbage plant
grows well in cool weather and it produces large leafy heads, and they can be
used in salads, soups, stir-fries, and many other dishes. Cabbage plants can be
successfully grown in backyard garden or in containers with the right care.
Choosing the Right
Cabbage Plant Variety To Grow
Before planting make sure you choose a cabbage plant variety
that suits your climate and gardening goals. There are some cabbage plants that
mature quickly, while there are some others that take longer and produce larger
heads.
Popular cabbage plant types include:
· The green cabbage variety: very common and easy to grow
· The red cabbage variety: this one is colorful
and rich in nutrients
· The savoy cabbage variety: this one has crinkled leaves with mild flavor
· The napa cabbage variety: elongated heads often
used in Asian dishes
If you actually live in a warm climate you can easily
choose the heat-tolerant varieties. In cooler areas, most cabbage plant varieties
grow very well.
Planting Cabbage Seeds
Cabbage plant actually prefers cool temperatures that are between
15°C and 24°C. Cabbage plant really grows best during spring or fall.
For Spring Cabbage Harvest
Start the cabbage seeds indoors about six to eight weeks
before the last frost date.
For Fall Cabbage Harvest
You can start the cabbage seeds in late summer and then transplant
them outdoors when the temperatures begin to cool.
In warm regions like in most parts of Africa, cabbage plant
is often grown during the cooler months or dry season for a better result.
Starting Cabbage Plant Seeds
Indoors
Starting cabbage plant seeds indoors gives the cabbage plant
a strong beginning.
What You Need to Get
Started
· You need seed trays or small pots
· You need seed-starting mix
· You need cabbage seeds
· You need water spray bottle
· You need bright light or sunny window
Planting the Cabbage Seeds
1. Just fill the trays with moist seed-starting mix.
2. Plant the cabbage seeds about one centimeter deep.
3. Then cover lightly with soil.
4. Water the plant gently.
5. Then place it in a warm area.
Cabbage plant seeds usually germinate within five to ten days.
Make sure you keep the soil moist but not soggy during
germination.
Providing Light for the
Cabbage Seedlings
Once the cabbage seedlings appear you can carefully place
them in bright light immediately. The cabbage seedlings actually need at least
six hours of sunlight daily.
If the cabbage plant seedlings become tall and weak, it
means they are not getting enough light.
You can also use grow lights for the cabbage plant positioned
a few inches above the cabbage plants.
Thinning the Cabbage
Plant Seedlings
When the Cabbage plant seedlings develop their first true
leaves, you can easily thin them so only the strongest plants remain. Crowded cabbage
plant seedlings compete for nutrients and light.
Healthy cabbage plant seedlings should look:
· Short and sturdy
· Bright green
· Also free from yellow leaves
Preparing the Garden Soil
For Planting
Cabbage plant actually grows best in fertile,
well-draining soil rich in organic matter.
The Soil Requirements for
Planting
· A pH between 6.0 and 7.5
· A loose, nutrient-rich soil
· Also a good drainage
Before transplanting the cabbage:
· Mix compost or aged manure into the soil very well
· You need to remove weeds and stones
· Also loosen soil deeply
Cabbage plant is a heavy feeder, which means they need
nutrient-rich soil to produce large heads.
Transplanting Cabbage
Plant Seedlings Outdoors
The Cabbage seedlings are ready for transplanting when
they are about ten to fifteen centimeter tall and they have about four to five true
leaves.
Spacing the Plant
· Space the plants thirty to sixty centimeter apart
· Leave sixty centimeter between rows
Proper spacing actually improves airflow and reduces
disease problems for the cabbage plant.
The Transplanting Steps
1. Water the cabbage plant seedlings before transplanting.
2. You need to dig holes that are slightly larger than the root
ball.
3. Place the cabbage plant seedlings carefully into the holes.
4. Then firm soil around the roots.
5. Then water thoroughly.
Make sure you transplant the cabbage plant during the
evening or on cloudy days to reduce stress.
Watering the Cabbage
Plants
The cabbage plant actually needs consistent moisture to
grow properly.
The Watering Tips
· You can water deeply one to two times per week
· Make sure you keep the soil evenly moist
· Make sure you avoid letting the soil dry completely
· You can also mulch around the plants to retain moisture
Uneven watering can easily cause small or cracked cabbage
heads.
Fertilizing the Cabbage Plant
Since the cabbage plant grows quickly and forms large
leaves, the cabbage plant needs regular feeding.
Best Fertilizers for
Cabbage Plant
· Balanced vegetable fertilizer
· Nitrogen-rich fertilizer during early growth
· Compost
Feed the cabbage plants every two to three weeks for best
results.
Make sure you avoid over-fertilizing the cabbage plant because
too much nitrogen may produce lots of leaves but small heads.
Protecting Cabbage Plant From
Pests
Cabbage plant sometime attracts some common garden pests.
Common Cabbage Plant Pests
· The Cabbage worms
· The Aphids
· The Cutworms
· Snails and slugs
Signs of pest damage on Cabbage Plant include:
· Holes in the plant leaves
· Chewed edges
· Sticky residue on plant
Natural Pest Control On
Cabbage Plant
· Hand-pick worms
· Using neem oil spray
· Cover the Cabbage plants with insect netting
· Keeping the garden very clean
Preventing Diseases on
Cabbage
Cabbage plants can actually suffer from fungal and
bacterial diseases if conditions are too wet or crowded.
Disease Prevention Tips
On Cabbage Plant
· Try as much as possible to avoid overhead watering
· Make sure you rotate crops yearly
· Space the cabbage plants properly
· Make sure you remove infected leaves immediately
Healthy airflow really helps to reduce disease problems on
the plant.
How Long Cabbage Plant Takes
to Grow
Most cabbage plant varieties really mature in:
· Seventy to one hundred twenty days from seed
The exact time for the cabbage plant to mature actually depends
on the variety and growing conditions.
You will know that cabbage plant is ready to harvest when
the head feels firm when squeezed gently.
How to Harvest Cabbage
To harvest cabbage:
1. Use a very good sharp knife.
2. Then cut the cabbage head at the base of the plant.
3. Leave outer leaves and roots of the plant in the soil.
At times smaller secondary heads may grow after harvesting
the main head of the plant.
Make sure you harvest before the heads split open.
0 Comments