Cabbage is one of the most popular and sought-after types of vegetable crops found in almost every garden plot. However, not all gardeners can get not only high-quality, but also a large crop. To achieve this result, you need to know some of the subtleties and features of planting, as well as growing in open ground.
Botanical Description
Cabbage is a two-year vegetable crop belonging to the species of cruciferous plants. It has a thick, slightly greenish foliage, tightly adjacent to each other, as a result, the leaves create a head out of a spherical shape.
The composition of white cabbage contains many useful and valuable substances, which is why it is so popular.
The plant has a low branched stem, on which there are a large number of leaves. In the first year, the leaves fit tightly together, forming a head of cabbage. In the second year of growth, flower-bearing shoots grow, the height of which can be about 1.5 m. It is on these shoots that the formation of fruits in the form of pods containing seeds inside occurs.
White cabbage is a photophilous and cold-resistant plant. In order for full flowering and further ripening of the fruits to occur, it is required to ensure the duration of daylight hours of at least 13 hours.
Given the region in which cabbage will be grown, it is required to select early or mid-ripening varieties. In this case, the heads of cabbage ripen no earlier than after 70-75 days or longer.
Common varieties and hybrids
When choosing a particular variety of cabbage, you should pay attention to the timing of its ripening. It is from this that the quality of the fetus and the duration of storage will depend.
Novice gardeners do not know what is better to choose - a separate variety or a hybrid. It must be borne in mind that the yield that simple plants give will ripen unevenly. The main characteristic of hybrids is considered to be the almost simultaneous ripening of fruits.
Given the length of the growing season, cabbage is divided into:
- Early ripening. From the appearance of seedlings until the time of harvesting takes about 3-4 months. Fruits are suitable for fresh salads or long-term storage.
- Mid-season. The growing season is approximately 4 months. Fruits are recommended for fresh salads, cabbage soup, possibly not for long storage. You can ferment cabbage, but the finished product is recommended to be consumed immediately, and not stored.
- Late. About 5-6 months pass from the appearance of seedlings until the fruit ripens. Fruits are ideal for long storage.
Today, a fairly large number of the most varied varieties of cabbage are known. To select a variety is based on the region of residence and its characteristics:
- Gribovsky 147. Heads of cabbage are not too large, of medium density. If the weather is cool for a long time, the flower stalks the plant forms in the spring. The greatest danger to the variety is a disease called cabbage keel.
- Transfer. This is a high-yielding hybrid variety that has resistance to cracking during ripening. Head of average density, weighing about 1.5 kg. The plant prefers moist soil, so frequent watering and fertile soil are required.
- Parel. The difference between this hybrid from similar varieties is considered to be a high and stable yield. Fruits are not suitable for long-term storage. It is recommended to eat primarily and do not store. It is highly resistant to fusarium wilt.
- Glory 1305. Mid-season variety, fruits have excellent taste. The weight of a head is about 3-4 kg. Fruits have an average shelf life, suitable for salads, pickles.
- Hope. This variety has excellent resistance to fruit cracking. The shape of the heads is flat-round, can be stored for about 4-4.5 months. The fruits are suitable for pickling and making fresh salads.
- Gift 2500. The variety is medium late, characterized by good productivity and excellent resistance to pests and diseases. Fruits have excellent taste, the shape is flat-round, weight is about 3.5-4 kg.
- Late Moscow 15. This variety is ideal for pickling, but cannot be stored for long. The fruits are large, weighing about 6 kg. The variety needs a land rich in nutrients, does not like strong waterlogging.
Seeds grade Gribovsky 147
Hybrid seeds Transfer
Cabbage seeds grade Parel
Cabbage seeds grade Slava-1305
Cabbage seeds grade Nadezhda
Cabbage Seeds Variety Gift 2500
Cabbage seeds Moscow late variety
Growing Features
To grow cabbage and harvest a rich crop, you need to follow a few simple conditions. It is important to ensure correct and timely watering, set the appropriate temperature and remember the need for timely top dressing.
If seedlings are planted in boxes, a dive is required.
Soil and crop rotation requirements
Cabbage can be easily grown on different types of soil. The exception is gravel and light sand, because they do not hold valuable moisture well enough. Ideal soil for cabbage are fertile loam with a light texture, as well as lowland peat bogs. These types of soil perfectly retain moisture, while at the same time perfectly pass air.
The optimal pH value is 6.5-7.0. If acidic soils are present on the site, liming is required every 4-6 years. To do this, during the autumn digging of the site, dolomite flour is additionally added taking into account the following proportions - per 10 square meters. m 5 kg (fluff lime is perfect).
It is not recommended to re-plant white cabbage in one area and grow it in territories where cruciferous plants grew last season. This can be done no earlier than 3 years later. If you do not observe the correct crop rotation or plant related crops nearby, a rapid spread of the diseases inherent in this type of plant occurs.
It is recommended to plant cabbage in areas where legumes, lily and solanaceous crops grew last season.
Lighting and temperature
Cabbage makes high demands on light, does not tolerate even slight shading. Choose a plot for it that will be completely open and there are no tall plants, bushes or trees nearby. If the culture lacks light, active foliage growth begins, but the heads may remain completely unformed.
To harvest a large crop, ensure that the cabbage has a daylight hours of about 17 hours.
This type of garden culture belongs to the number of cold-resistant plants. However, the level of resistance to low temperatures depends on the particular variety, as well as the stage of development at which the culture is located. When establishing + 2 ... + 3 degrees Celsius, seed growth begins. For a quick and active emergence of seedlings, a constant temperature within +18 degrees is required.
Young seedlings grow well with indicators of 12-14 degrees. If the seedlings successfully pass the hardening period and take root, after transplanting into open ground, withstands temperatures of about -7 degrees. And calmly tolerates short frosts.
To ensure the safe development of an adult plant, an ideal temperature is considered to be in the range of 15-25 degrees. In the southern territories of Russia, in the case of planting cabbage, at a high temperature, the plants begin to wilt. Ripe heads of cabbage are able to safely tolerate small frosts within -3 ... -7 degrees. But this will directly depend on a particular variety.
Choose a variety based on the area in which it will be grown.
Humidity requirements
For growing cabbage, an optimum indicator of soil moisture is about 80%, air - 55-75%. If you plan to store cabbage for a long time in the winter, make sure that the soil moisture with the onset of the second growing season is approximately 70-75%. If the plant lacks moisture, the development worsens, and head formation does not begin.
Other features:
- The rate and frequency of irrigation is adjusted for rainfall. It is necessary to maintain the soil constantly in this state, so that the taken lump of soil can be rolled out between the palms, to dazzle the ball. When the earth begins to crumble, it means it's time to water.
- Cabbage is very demanding on the level of moisture, but waterlogging should not be allowed. An overabundance as a result can provoke the rapid spread of fungal diseases and cause cracking of heads.
- After irrigation, loosen the soil, which is very important when planting on heavy types of soil.
- Combine loosening with hilling. 14 days after landing, perform the first hilling. If late varieties are planted, perform this procedure a little later - approximately 20-25 days after transplanting into open ground. Then perform hilling every 14-16 days until the leaves close.
Site preparation
How good the crop will be depends directly on the proper preparation of the site for plant transplantation. You can purchase a ready-made universal substrate in any garden store or make it yourself. In the latter case, in equal quantities, mix humus with turfy soil, then enter the ash taking into account the following proportions - per 10 kg of soil 1 tbsp. ashes.
Ash is an excellent source of valuable elements and is becoming an effective prophylactic against the black leg.
When preparing the substrate, do not use the land from the area where cabbage was previously grown or other cruciferous species grew.
Seeds and Seedlings
The future crop directly depends on which seeds will be selected. First you need to decide whether you need juicy and early white cabbage to prepare fresh salads or late, which will be stored for a long time in the winter. This is the main and most important selection criterion.
Before planting seeds, it is required to conduct their proper preparation. Regular seedlings care will allow you to get strong and healthy plants.
Seed preparation
Before you start planting seeds, properly prepare them. Perform seed disinfection to help avoid a viral or bacterial infection.
The disinfection procedure is very simple and proceeds as follows:
- warm the seeds in hot water (approximately +55 degrees) for 20-25 minutes;
- refrigerate in boiled and cold water - about 4-6 minutes;
- treat seeds with growth stimulant - leave in solution for several hours.
Sowing seedlings
Before planting seeds, it is recommended that they be hardened, which will increase resistance to various diseases. However, it is worth considering the fact that there are some varieties whose seeds cannot be soaked. That is why you should first study the information provided on the package.
Once all the preparatory procedures are completed, you can begin the process of planting:
- place the seed in the ground, deepen a little, but not more than 2 cm;
- water well when sprouts appear, moisten the soil again;
- cover the soil with a film, which will save moisture;
- until seedlings appear, store the seed at a temperature of approximately + 18 ... +22 degrees.
Watch a video on how to grow strong healthy cabbage seedlings:
Picking seedlings
After 15-20 days, from the moment the first seedlings appear, in the phase of formation of a full leaf, cabbage can be pickled. This is a procedure for planting seedlings in separate containers of a larger area.
If possible, pickle seedlings in separate cassettes or pots, especially if early and late varieties are grown. Juice cartons are great, but make a few holes in the bottom first.
The picking of cabbage seedlings goes approximately according to the following scheme:
- 40-50 minutes before the start of the pick, water the seedlings well;
- take the sprout with the old earth;
- shorten the root by a third;
- deepen the seedlings by 2 cm and tamp lightly, but not too much so as not to injure the root.
Transplanting seedlings into the ground
You can transplant seedlings when the plants appear:
- in the early variety, 4-6 full leaves, the height of the plant should be approximately 14-22 cm;
- in mid-ripening or late varieties, 4-5 full leaves, cabbage about 16-20 cm high.
In central Russia, try to transplant seedlings as early as possible, when the threat of frost completely passes. The ideal time is the end of April and the beginning of May. Late varieties are from mid to late May. Transplant mid-season varieties a little later - between the end of May and up to June.
Planting seedlings is carried out according to the following scheme:
- pre-prepare the site;
- adhere to such a landing pattern - 50x40 cm;
- do not thicken the landing too much, since the cabbage is large and needs space and enough light;
- plant seedlings at a depth of not more than the first full leaf;
- during planting, make sure that young leaves, which are the point of growth of plants, do not appear underground;
- plant seedlings in the evening or during cloudy weather;
- after planting, water the plants, but not too much.
Reckless growing method: sowing cabbage seeds in open ground
If you use this method, about 11-15 days earlier you can harvest. The landing technology is very simple, also does not require special skills, it is enough to adhere to the following scheme of actions:
- pre-conduct thorough preparation of the site for landing;
- with particular attention, choose the area where you plan to plant cabbage, since it will be much more difficult to protect against diseases with pests than when planting in a greenhouse;
- clean well the soil from weeds and various roots;
- process the seeds and harden them;
- place 3-4 seeds in one hole - it is important that the earth is soft, moist and sprinkled with peat;
- when the first sprouts appear, thin out the plants and leave the strongest.
Cabbage grown according to this scheme grows hardened and gives a large crop.
Care for white cabbage
After planting the sprouts in the open ground, monitor the development of crops and get involved in the restoration of seedlings that were damaged during the transplant. If a period of sustained drought sets in, shade the cabbage with agrofibre or newspaper over the first few days.
During the first 1-2 weeks, plants require increased watering, which improves the survival rate of seedlings in the new area.
When establishing warm weather, remove non-woven covering material. Further care consists in regularly moistening the soil, loosening, introducing nutrients into the ground, treating pests and various types of diseases from attack.
Loosening and hilling
It is required to regularly carry out an earthing up with loosening of soil. Such a simple procedure as loosening improves soil aeration, facilitates the penetration of oxygen and moisture to the cabbage root system. After heavy rains or watering, process the aisles.
Loosening allows you to destroy the dense soil crust. As a result, cabbage roots will receive the necessary amount of oxygen.
Watering
Until the seedlings root completely, it needs a lot of moisture. Water every two days, especially in hot and dry weather. If the weather is cloudy, water the cabbage every 7 days.
Moisten the soil in the evening, use non-cold water, first leave it in the sun so that it can heat up during the day. Then be sure to loosen the row-spacings and at the same time wind up the bushes.
It will greatly facilitate watering cabbage, if the plot is laid with mulch from peat and humus (a layer of about 5 cm). These materials help prevent moisture from evaporating and prevent new weeds from growing.
Fertilizers
About 7-8 days after transplanting seedlings to a permanent place, the first top dressing is carried out. To prepare the nutrient mixture, dissolve ammonium nitrate (20 g) in water (10 l), add superphosphate (40 g). You can use any potash fertilizer. The resulting composition is enough to process about 100 plants.
The second dressing is carried out after 12-14 days after the first. Use organic types of fertilizer - for example, mullein infusion is perfect. To do this, take the mullein (1 l) and fill it with water (10 l). Leave the mixture for 5-6 days, so that the composition is well infused. Before fertilizing, dilute the prepared infusion with water in a ratio of 1:10.
In the video you can learn about caring for white cabbage during the growing season - how to water, feed and fight pests:
How is cabbage propagated?
Cabbage propagation can be carried out in several ways - sowing seeds for seedlings or growing their stalk. Each of the methods has its pros and cons, which you should know about before you start using it.
How to collect seeds?
For collecting seeds, you should not use material from the first arrow of cabbage that appears, especially if this is the first growing year. Such seeds will not give good seedlings and do not preserve the property of a particular species. When growing seedlings from this type of seed, you should not count on the appearance of heads of cabbage.
To get quality seeds, you should adhere to several rules:
- in the second year of plant growth, you can collect high-quality seeds;
- choose strong instances without symptoms of the disease - these are mother liquors;
- before the first frosts remove them from the soil along with the root, do not shake the ground;
- before storing, leave 3-4 cover sheets on heads of cabbage;
- pollinate the plant with ashes, dip the roots in a clay mash;
- send for storage at a temperature of about 1-2 degrees;
- in March or April, cut the stump (it should have a cone-shaped shape) so that the upper kidney remains intact, the length of the petioles should be 3-4 cm;
- shift to humus (should be wet), you can use peat;
- at the end of April, plant the mother liquor in the ground - place the stokers at a slight angle and deepen to the head of cabbage;
- between the testes of different varieties leave a distance of at least 0.5 m, otherwise there is a risk of dusting;
- the beds need simple care - watering, weeding, loosening, feed twice with nitrogen types of fertilizers;
- when the pods are ripe and dry, collect the seed.
Stalking Cabbage
Some gardeners can get several crops at once from one plant per season. But this is only possible in areas where there is a warm climate and when using early ripe honeycomb cabbage.
After collecting fruits (for example, in June), after the head of cabbage has been cut, do not pull out the cob. After a while, the formation in the axils of the leaves of small heads of cabbage will begin. It is necessary to thin them, leaving no more than two small heads of cabbage on one stump.
Do not tear off the lower leaves left over from old heads of cabbage, as this allows you to better retain moisture. Then standard care is required - watering, weeding, loosening with top dressing. Already in early autumn, it will be possible to harvest a new crop. On average, the weight of the fetus is about 0.5 kg.
Harvesting and storing cabbage
When the temperature drops to -2 degrees, start harvesting. Do not pull too much with the cleaning, as severe frosts will reduce the keeping quality of the heads.
Dig up the fruits immediately with the roots, and then sort the heads. Put the injured fruits aside, because they must be consumed as soon as possible. All quality heads of cabbage leave under a canopy for one day, after which cut the head of cabbage and leave about 2 cm of stalk. Then send the cabbage for long-term storage.
For a crop, a basement or cellar is ideal. In such a room, constantly humid air, and the temperature is in the range of about +5 degrees. The ideal temperature for a long storage of cabbage is -1 ... + 1 degree, and humidity should be within 95%.
Before laying the fruits for long-term storage, put the order in the basement - whitewash the walls and install exhaust ventilation. For storage, put vegetables in prepared wooden boxes or other containers. It is very important that the cabbage does not lie on the floor, otherwise it will quickly begin to deteriorate.
Other cultivation methods
Not only gardeners, but also specialists are looking for new methods of growing cabbage, actively using them in practice. However, some of them can significantly facilitate the process of caring for cabbage. There is also the opportunity to get an excellent crop under conditions of limited watering.
Greenhouse care and cultivation
It is possible to use bulk or natural soil in greenhouses. The thickness of the arable layer is not less than 30 cm. Enrich the soil with humus at the rate of 12 kg per 1 sq. Km. m. It is important that the soil has a light texture. To obtain greater loosening of the earth, you can make chopped straw or sawdust.
If there is not enough sunlight in the greenhouse, install additional lamps. When the first seedlings appear, light seedlings for a week, then light up for 7-9 hours.
During watering, make sure that there is no drying out, nor severe waterlogging of the earth. In a closed ground, the level of air humidity should be in the range of 80-82%. Make sure that the soil moisture is about 75%; to increase the rate, irrigate by irrigation. Airing will help lower rates.
The timely application of fertilizers is important. Try to adhere to the following scheme (the amount of fertilizer is calculated per 1 sq. M):
- 7-10 days after planting the seedlings, fertilize with ammonium nitrate (12 g), superphosphate (24 g), potassium sulfate (14 g), dissolving in plain water (10 l);
- with the beginning of head formation, use ammonium nitrate (22 g), superphosphate (35 g), potassium sulfate (18 g) to fertilize, dissolving in plain water (10 l).
You can feed with complex types of mineral fertilizers - for example, azofoska or nitroammofoska. Biostimulants will accelerate the development and growth of roots and improve plant nutrient intake.
Growing under plastic bottles
Plastic bottles can be used as an individual type of shelter for sprouts when grown in open ground. This method helps to accelerate the appearance of the first seedlings, provides protection against pests and allows you to save heat with valuable moisture.
If you plan to grow cabbage with this method, adhere to the following procedure:
- cut off the bottom of a plastic bottle, leave the cap on top;
- sow seed material, then cover with a bottle, deepening it into the ground by about 3-3.5 cm;
- pour some soil around the bottle;
- for watering, unscrew the cap and pour water;
- periodically ventilate the seedlings, opening the lid;
- when the plants grow and the leaves touch the bottle, remove it.
Growing cabbage without watering
Completely without watering, it is simply impossible to grow cabbage. But you can use certain agricultural techniques that allow you to maintain the optimum level of moisture in the earth and reduce the amount of water consumed.
For this purpose, you should adhere to the following recommendations:
- in the autumn, carry out deep soil cultivation, leave large tubercles, which allows you to create conditions for snow retention;
- perform surface loosening of the soil in early spring, which prevents the moisture from pulling up through the capillaries and its subsequent evaporation;
- do not deep cultivate the soil to prevent the appearance of soil crust, resort to surface loosening;
- use the seedlingless method of growing cabbage, which allows you to form a stronger root system in plants, which will absorb moisture much better.
Use not only the tips above, but also select varieties of cabbage that have a high degree of drought tolerance - for example, Bronco, Mozharskaya, etc.
Growing under the mulching film
One of the most effective and simple methods of protecting cabbage is the use of a plastic film. For mulching, not only transparent, but also black film can be used, taking into account the season.
The black film provides faster heating of the soil and the preservation of moisture, at the same time all weeds die under it. In this case, follow these steps:
- pre-prepare the beds for planting cabbage - about 2-3 weeks before the planned planting of seedlings, this time is enough to warm the soil well;
- place a film on top of the bed, in which, taking into account the planting pattern, make cross-shaped or round slots (seedlings will be planted in these holes);
- after transplanting plants, simple care is required - watering under the root, top dressing, treatment from pests and diseases.
In the summer it is better to use a transparent film. Do not forget to pre-perforate the film, and then lay it on pre-watered beds, carefully fixing between the rows of cabbage. This type of mulching allows you to protect plants from weeds and save valuable moisture in the ground.
Diseases and pests of white cabbage, prevention
Like any other garden crop, cabbage can be attacked by insect pests and various types of diseases. In order not to have to carry out treatment with hazardous chemical and poisonous drugs, it is required to periodically apply preventive measures.
It is enough for the plant to ensure proper and regular care, timely processing using safe biological preparations.
What can bother cabbage:
- Most often, cabbage suffers from a black leg and rotting roots. To prevent this problem, treat seedlings with drugs such as Rizoplanoma or Trichodermin. Use the products strictly according to the instructions on the packaging. These drugs reliably protect the roots of the plant from bacteria that provoke the disease itself.
- Another common problem is slugs and cruciferous fleas. Sprinkle plants with Intavir to prevent pests.
- Crucifer bugs pose a great threat to cabbage. To prevent its occurrence, make sure that such types of weeds as shepherd’s bag, field yurt, overbig do not appear on the garden.
The subtleties of growing in the regions
Given the region in which this vegetable crop is planned to be grown, there are rules and recommendations for planting and further care. It is very important to choose the right variety that will allow you to get a large and high-quality crop.
In outskirts of Moscow
A peculiarity of the climate of the Moscow Region is the predominance of cloudy weather and not a large number of sunny days. Cabbage is a cold-resistant crop, but unstable weather in the spring can cause certain problems during its growth in the early stages.
In this region, it is recommended to use the seedling method. The option of planting seeds directly in open ground is not excluded, but then it will be necessary to provide additional seedlings for seedlings until stable warm weather is established. The technology of warm beds can also be used. Particular attention should be paid to watering, since in the suburbs there is a small amount of rainfall in the summer.
Opt for early, mid-season and mid-late varieties. Later varieties are not suitable, as the fruits may not have time to fully ripen. Hybrids that have managed to show themselves well when grown in this region are also perfect.
In Siberia
Siberia has a harsh climate, so the option of sowing seeds directly into the ground is not suitable. More successful is the seedling method.
Summer is very short, so you should not choose varieties that have a long growing season. Mid-season as well as mid-late varieties are perfect, allowing you to get an excellent harvest in this region.
In the Urals
The Urals has an unstable climate, often a sharp change in temperature. Even in May, large temperature differences can occur - during the day it is very hot, at night frost. Already in October, snow may fall.
Growing seedlings is carried out only at home, in warm beds or greenhouses. After transplanting seedlings into open ground, the beds are necessarily covered with dense spanbond, which will protect plants from pests and colds.
Growing white cabbage does not cause any particular problems. The most important thing is to choose the right variety, taking into account the region of residence and do not forget about the rules of agricultural technology. Proper and regular care will allow you to get a large crop of tasty and healthy cabbage.