Cool-weather is required for plant cabbage crop and can quickly be grown in a pot. It is a valued crop due to its long life in storage and hardiness. Cabbage is another vegetable in the list that belongs to Brassica oleracea and is well-known worldwide for its tasty edible leaves.
Cabbage is the most common vegetable that can be part of any country dinner table in various ways. Different cabbages have different leaves, shapes, and colours, which do not let the cabbage history clear. It is considered that growing cabbage can be tricky for the novice gardener, and the right amount of knowledge is required to get crop successful.
Plant Cabbage
Cabbage likes a cold temperature that helps the crop to grow and form ahead. The ideal time to sow the seeds of cabbage is mid-summer or fall-spring to be harvested during the chilly days of autumn, winter, or early spring. Cabbage cannot bear the exposure to too much hot or severe frost as it causes the split or bolt to the crop. The right choice of soil brings you closer to the successful growth of the crops.
Cabbage can be well grown in the soil rich in organic matters and provide a balanced pH with the area fully brightened with sunshine or lightly shaded areas. Then dust the source evenly and cover it with the soil. Water it well to settle the seeds in the ground, thin the seedlings once they’re up to one of every couple of inches (5cm). When transplanting them, space seedlings 18 to 24 inches apart in rows 24 to 36 inches apart.
Within a row, replant at 12 inches (30 cm) intervals. The seedlings can be transplanted into the garden when 4 to 5 real leaves or adult leaves emerge. In areas with mild winters like Arizona’s low desert, cabbage grows best during the winter season.
Care
The soil that is too acidic encourages the clubroot, and all members of Brassica are liable to clubroot. The ideal pH to discourage the clubroot disease for the crop is somewhere between 6.5-6.8. Regular watering and weeding are the two primary sources to nurture the crop successfully. When seedling will develop after 10-12 days, thin to 15-20 cm apart. Mulch is suggested if the moisture of the soil needs to retain.
Protect from the attack of cutworms, cabbage loopers, maggots, and aphids. The protective collars remain useful to prevent the young plants from the invasion of cutworm. The spray of pesticides is found helpful to avoid the maggots and loopers that can destroy the crop. The right amount of diluted liquid fertilizer and the fish emulsion is recommended for the crop’s better growth. Applying cabbage fertilizer after every two before plantation and after transplantation after every three to four weeks deteriorates the chance of a failed attempt to grow.
Harvest
The cabbage is a crop that usually takes three months or 100-180 days to mature. The time between sowing and harvesting is 10-12 weeks. The best way to identify when to harvest the cabbage is when the heads are firm, and 4-10 inches of the base is across. Usually, harvesting time varies for the different kinds of cabbage.
Use a garden fork or sharp knife to ease it out of the ground gently. The perfect growth of cabbage can be assured by squeezing the vegetable’s head if it is not firm and feels loose, then it requires more time to grow.
Storage
Cabbage can be stored in a more relaxed place that can easily preserve the vegetable for 3-8 weeks. A favourable condition for the preservation of cabbage in a cellar can give it a long life. To store the head in the refrigerator, detach the loose leaves and let the short stem accompanied the cabbage while wrapping it in the damp cloth or perforated plastic bag.
Tips
- Add liquid fertilizer to prepare the seedbed before transplantation.
- Avoid excessively dry soil and prefer moist soil but keep it away from waterlogging.
- Cabbage will taste sweeter if it is harvested in cold weather.
- The maintenance of temperature, i.e. 77°F (25°C) or thereabouts, helps in smooth germination.
- For long time preservation and avoiding bruising, store cabbage in a cold place.
- The ideal pH of the soil is 6.5-6.8 to avoid clubroot disease.
- Avoid transplanting cabbage where the cabbage family has grown recently.
To prevent cabbage’s split head, get rid of some unwanted roots and too much water uptake.
Problems Faced
Cabbages are the most comfortable vegetable to grow and well-suited to the novice gardener, but gardeners face some issues. Cabbages are afflicted with the same issues which affect all brassicas, though they are rarely severely impacted. The most common problems can be diseases and pests.
Diseases
The fungal diseases that cause significant harm to the crops are black rots, clubroot, and yellows. To prevent the loss, avoid waterlogging, and balance the pH of soil.
Cabbage maggots, loopers, cutworms are the primary trouble makers for the plant, and to prevent the loss, plant radishes closer to cabbage as it can repel the flies away from the crop. Using pesticides is also a sufficient remedy to protect the plant.
Types of Cabbage
Savoy Cabbage: Savoy cabbage has a shorter preservation life than other varieties of cabbage because they are more tender than other cabbages. The right time to harvest savoy cabbage is between 80-85 days.
Cannonball cabbage: Cannonball cabbage is widely known as green cabbage and hugely in use of every kitchen worldwide. It is harvested when the cabbage head is firm and can be stored for a long time.
Red cabbage: Red cabbage is widely known as purple cabbage. It can change colour as per the pH value of the soil. The right time to harvest red cabbage is between 76-90 days.
Conclusion
Cabbages are the rich source of Vitamin C and Vitamin K. It also provides Vitamin B6 and remains significant in controlling blood sugar and cholesterol. The cabbage soup and raw cabbage both are considered ideal for weight loss.
Cabbage is a well-suited crop to grow that, with some challenging conditions, can benefit the farmer. It is a crop that can be preserved for a long time, and the cost of preservation of the vegetable is comparatively less than another vegetable.
