You can cook it, preserve it, or simply have it raw. and therefore the best part, it’s one among the simplest vegetables to grow.
Wouldn’t it’s amazing if you’ll grow cabbage at home? Well, after reading this text, you’d definitely be ready to grow cabbage within the comfort of your home easily. during this article, we’ve covered everything there’s to understand on the way to grow cabbage. From the soil conditions to the harvesting techniques, we’ve made it simpler for you to grow your own cabbage patch.
Sowing Season – Mid Feb – Mid Apr; Aug – Oct
Soil Type – Sandy to heavy soil rich in organic matter with a pH level of 6.5 to 7.5
Height – 3.3 ft to 6.6 ft
Width – 10” to 14”
Germination Temperature – 15°C – 21°C
Flowering Season – 4 to five months after planting.
Sunlight – Full Sun; 6 to eight hours of direct sunlight daily.
Water – Regular watering intervals; make sure that the soil is moist yet well-drained.
Companion Plants – Chamomile, Hyssop, Thyme, Rosemary, Dill, Peppermint, Spearmint, Sage, Oregano, Yarrow, Marigolds, Onions, Beetroot, Celery.
Soil Preparation
Cabbage may be a relatively easy crop to grow and doesn’t require much pre-planning. Nonetheless, there are a couple of belongings you would want to see off your to-do list before you plant the seeds. Cabbage is often grown in several sorts of soils starting from sandy loam to clay soil. But confirm that the pH level of the soil is maintained at 6.5 to 7 to urge an honest yield. Soil rich in organic matter with good drainage is all that your cabbage plants got to thrive.
Allowing your plants, adequate room to grow is crucial just in case of all crops, not just cabbage. you’ll make sure that your plants have enough space to grow by pertaining to the subsequent details –
Row to Row Distance – 45 cms (Early Maturity) & 60 cms (Late Maturity)
Plant to Plant Distance – 30 cms (Early Maturity) & 45 cms (Late Maturity)
Growing Cabbage
Let’s undergo the method of growing cabbage –
Prepare the soil for planting by mixing potting soil and compost during a 2:3 ratio.
Sprinkle the seeds on the grow bed and canopy it very lightly with a skinny layer of soil.
Cabbage requires regular watering. the simplest choice to water your cabbage plants would be to use a watering pot or a system . confirm that the soil remains moist, especially when the plants are absorbing sunlight.
If pests are a drag in your garden, you’ll also prefer to cover your cabbage plants with a mulching sheet or platen cover. this may help in maintaining the moisture levels of the soil which successively will cause faster germination.
Cabbage doesn’t have the best in partial or complete shade. If you’re initiating the expansion process indoors, then confirm that you simply keep them within the sunlight for about 6 to eight hours during a day.
Keep up the watering schedule and relax. The freshly planted seeds will take 7 to fifteen days to germinate. make sure that the temperature of the soil is maintained at 20°C for optimal germination.
Cabbage requires transplantation so as to grow well. Once 4 to six weeks pass after germination, plan for the transplant. Before you transplant your cabbage, confirm that the seedlings have reached a height of three to 4 inches with a minimum of 3-4 sets of leaves.
Transplanting cabbage is sort of easy. you only need to carefully pull out the seedlings from one grow bed and plant them gently into another.
Still, confused? Just follow these steps to transplant your cabbage plants.
Hardening Off – Sometimes, gardeners such as you, would want to start outgrowing their cabbage plants around the end of the winter season. the simplest way you’ll execute this plan is to start out your cabbage patch indoors in containers or seed trays. However, to permit your plants a good chance to grow from seed to maturity, you’ll get to move them outdoors once the temperature becomes warmer. Hardening off is that the process of moving your cabbage plants outdoors to gradually introduce them to the direct sunlight, dry air, and cold nights. you’ll start by exposing them to sunlight for 2-3 hours initially then gradually increase the duration to the optimal 6 to eight hours of sunlight during a day. But, confine the mind to not fertilize the cabbage plants during the hardening off process.
If you’re moving the plants from one container to a different, then confirm that the container you propose on using for the transplant is large enough to carry a minimum of 4 to five gallons of soil. It should even have 2-3 holes at rock bottom to permit drainage of excess water.
Dig a hole with a diameter of two inches for every seedling, plant them carefully without harming the young and fragile roots of the plant and canopy them lightly with a skinny layer of soil. Gently pat the soil around the stem in order that the plant stands firmly within the ground.
Continue with an equivalent watering routine as you probably did for the seeds. Water the plants regularly in order that the soil retains moisture.
Once your cabbage plants have settled in their new home, they’re going to require around 6 hours of sunlight a day.
Once the cabbage starts forming its head, feed it liquid, organic like an answer made from water and seaweed.
95 to 150 days into the expansion process, your cabbage plants are going to be ready for his or her first harvest.
Fertilizers for Cabbage
Cabbage comes under the category of ‘heavy feeders’ among the plants. They require a daily dose of fertilizers. it’s important to offer your cabbage plants a balanced organic a minimum of once every week. We believe that plants are very almost like humans in numerous ways. The way preservatives and chemicals affect a person’s body, is that the same way chemical fertilizers affect the plants. There are many natural fertilizers that you simply can find at home . as an example, tea works well to extend the nutrient levels within the soil. Not just that, it also accelerates the expansion of the plants.
Pests, Diseases, and customary Problems affecting Cabbage
Splitting – this is often one of the main problems that you simply can face while growing cabbage. Splitting basically means the heads of the cabbage split before reaching the age of maturity. Splitting is more common in quick-growing and early-season varieties. Some reasons why your cabbage would split are overwatering, heavy rains, drought, etc. you’ll avoid splitting by providing mulch to your plants which can retain moisture within the soil.
Pests – Your cabbage plants are more likely to draw in pests when their heads split. the simplest prevention strategy that you simply can use is to urge disease-resistant varieties, especially if you’re growing this delicious crop. the foremost common pests which will affect cabbage are aphids, cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, and root maggots. If your plants are suffering from pests, the simplest thanks to tackling things are to hide the cabbage patch with a floating cover.
If your cabbage patch is suffering from aphids, simply wash them down with a robust stream of water. But, confirm that you simply don’t damage the crop. Once the aphids are gone, trim the affected areas before harvesting.
For pests like worms and loopers, simply pick them together with your hands and throw them out. you’ll spray the plants with a garlic or neem oil solution to avoid their return to munch on your yummy produce.
Diseases – Cabbage plants also get suffering from diseases, a bit like the other plant. the foremost common diseases which will damage your plants are clubroot disease, purple blotch, fungal, bacterial, viral diseases, and black speck disease.
To counter clubroot disease, just increase the pH level of your cabbage plants by adding some juice. To avoid purple blotch, you ought to avoid wetting the foliage.
Exposure to prolonged cold temperatures can cause black speak disease which may be cured by increasing the potassium levels of the soil.
The viral, bacterial, and fungal diseases affecting your cabbage patch are often cured by using commercial potting soil.
How to Harvest and Store Cabbage
The heads of cabbage take about 7-8 weeks to succeed in maturity. As soon as you see clearly defined heads on your cabbage plants, you’ll harvest them. as an example, cabbage seeds sown in spring would be ready for harvest in November.
To check the maturity of the cabbage, simply squeeze the cabbage heads. If they feel firm, you’ll plow ahead and harvest them.
Use a pointy knife to reap the cabbage heads for consumption. this may make sure that the roots don’t get damaged.
Cut 1 to 2 inches above the basis level alongside 2-3 outer leaves to guard the edible part from damage.
It’s best to chop the maximum amount as you would like for immediate consumption. However, if you’re harvesting beforehand, you’ll store fresh cabbage for about 2 to three days at temperature. However, if you set it within the fridge, it’ll remain fresh for two weeks.
You might think that growing cabbage would be challenging. But, that’s definitely not the case. In fact, a bit like the other leafy green vegetables, cabbage is sort of easy to grow. Just confirm that you simply feed them well.
