Cabbage Plant Care

In this article we’re going to talk about cabbage plant care, from planting to harvesting large, nutritious heads of cabbage. Cabbage is one of the healthiest vegetables. It is known to be full of nutrients and antioxidants.

This vegetable can be enjoyed in many ways. It can be enjoyed raw, steamed, pickled and stir-fried. Its leaves can be stuffed by making use of the large leaves to envelop a flavorful filling.

Planting Cabbage

To get your cabbage plants ready for gardening in spring, plant its seedlings indoors approximately 2 months prior to the last spring frost.

To harden your seedling, put them outside for rising amounts of time. Do this before moving them to the garden, 2 to 3 weeks prior to the last date of spring frost.

When choosing a site for planting cabbage, choose one with full sun or partial shade, as well as, well-drained soil. Use a garden fork to get the garden bed ready or slacken the soil by using a tiller to 12 to 15 inches depth. You can then mix about 2 to 4 inch layer compost. Seedlings should be planted in beds or rows.

Varieties that are early-maturing should be planted 12 to 15 inches away from each other. If you want a fall plant, directly sown the seeds into the ground.

Plant them 1/4 inch deep and position them 1-1/2 to 2 inches away from each other. Thin them out to expand the space between the growing plants.

Cabbage Plant Care & Development

Usually, cabbage is planted as a seedling for approximately 4 to 6 weeks. It is then moved into the garden. Transplants that are hardened can go out 2 to 4 weeks prior to the average last frost date.

The young plants are somewhat tolerant to frost but hard freezes can damage them. When they are safeguarded after transplanting with season extenders, they grow faster. Plants reaped in advanced usually have fewer insect pest problems.

Cabbage is biennial, it flowers the second year. But, exposing the plant to 2 to 3 weeks of temperatures less than 50 degrees will encourage the cabbage plant to bolt into flower. Push it to grow in cool weather as high heat makes heads split.

Cabbage Plant Pests

Cabbage plants are quite prone to aphid invasion and looper invations so watch out for it and get it treated before it turns into severe infestations. Transplants should be started 4 to 6 week prior to setting the plants out.

Cabbage plants require at least 1 inch of water per week. During the summer months, if rainfall is not enough, water the plants manually.

Harvesting Cabbage

Harvesting cabbage plants is best anytime after they shoot heads. Make sure the heads are firm, but, harvest the plants before the heads split open. Cut the head using a sharp knife, pull the outer leaves off and get rid of them.

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