Planting cabbage: features depending on the type and variety

Cabbage is a vegetable that is quite popular among gardeners. This is due to the good taste and beneficial substances included in the composition. At the same time, it is necessary to note the capriciousness of this culture.

The key to a good harvest is strong and healthy seedlings. Specialized stores offer a wide range of products. Each variety has its own characteristics. You can prepare many different dishes from cabbage. The vegetable has also found its use in folk medicine. Experienced gardeners often use it to eliminate pests.

Cabbage planting options

Cabbage is classified as a member of the Cruciferous family. The seed material is similar in appearance to radish seeds. Due to its light-loving nature and high frost resistance, it is quite difficult to grow this vegetable at home.

Seedling method

When choosing a seedling method, they are guided by proven growing technology. It is the same for all varieties. Planting is usually carried out in early spring. To determine the exact date, the final ripening period and varietal characteristics are taken into account. Ignoring these recommendations is fraught with low yields.

The seeds need to create greenhouse conditions. Before starting the procedure, the seed material is subjected to hardening and disinfection. Shoots usually appear 5-6 days after planting. The optimal temperature does not exceed +18 °C. The last step is film tension. It is removed after the first true leaf has formed.

To prevent excessive stretching of seedlings, the air temperature will have to be reduced to +8 °C. Mandatory measures also include regular ventilation of the room and systematic watering. For the latter, a light pink solution of potassium permanganate is used. After two weeks, the sprouts are transferred to peat pots. They can be replaced with plastic molds.

Planting in open soil is carried out only after the plant reaches certain parameters. They vary greatly in early, mid-season and late-season cabbage.

Seedless method

This method, contrary to popular belief, is not difficult. In this case, the seeds are planted on previously prepared beds. Cabbage planted in this way is characterized by higher winter hardiness and drought resistance. If all the rules are followed, the risk of fungal and viral diseases will significantly decrease. Additional advantages also include rapid growth (due to the absence of the need for replanting), adequate lighting, and accelerated head formation.

Among the factors influencing yield are the initial state of the soil, the effectiveness of preparatory measures, and climate.

Late and mid-early cabbage is most often grown using the seedless method.

Types and varieties of cabbage

The culture is characterized by species diversity. Cabbage comes in leaf and stem varieties and has different shapes, colors and tastes of the fruit. I will briefly describe the main varieties:

1. White cabbage is a familiar cabbage with round heads of pale green leaves. Contains rare vitamin U, which treats inflammation of the digestive system and has a beneficial effect on its functioning. There are many varieties of this species - read about the best of them in a separate article.
2. Red cabbage - does not differ in shape from the previous species, but has purple-violet leaves. This color is given to it by the high content of anthocyanin, a substance that actively removes harmful substances from the body.
3. Colored is a dietary type, hypoallergenic and rich in vitamins. Used in baby food. Unripe cabbage inflorescences are eaten.
4. Savoy - has unusual curly leaves that form into a head of cabbage. Contains a lot of protein, minerals, vitamin C and has a delicate taste.
5. Beijing - the elongated heads of cabbage of this species have a loose structure, since the leaves do not fit tightly to each other. Contains a lot of vitamin A and C.
6. Chinese is a petiole-leaf vegetable that does not form heads. The leaves are eaten, forming a rosette on a thick white stem.
7. Kohlrabi is similar in appearance to a turnip or radish. But this is not a root vegetable, but an overgrown stem, which tastes like the stalk of white cabbage without the bitterness.
8. Brussels sprouts - the heads of this type of cabbage grow on a half-meter stem and are the size of a walnut. They contain mustard oil, which gives them a piquant taste.
9. Broccoli is similar to cauliflower, but has a rich green color. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, which are well preserved when frozen.

Cabbage sowing dates for 2022

To get a good harvest, you need to choose the right time for planting. In this case, they focus on factors such as:

• method of cultivation;
• duration of the seedling period;
• varietal characteristics;
• landing place.

If the gardener decides to plant cabbage in closed ground, the timing can be shifted by several weeks. This is due to faster soil heating in greenhouse structures.

Many are guided by the Lunar calendar. When compiling it, many indicators are taken into account. The result of such a serious analysis is a schedule in which only a few favorable days are allocated for planting cabbage.

There are 29 or 30 days in the Lunar calendar. This period is divided into rising and falling phases. Particular importance is attached to the days on which there is a full moon and a new moon. Planting carried out during a favorable period will contribute to the strengthening of the plant. It is recommended to sow in the first half of the month.

On the new moon, the soil should rest, and on the full moon, harvesting begins.

The best time for sowing and planting cabbage is on the waxing Moon.

In 2022, this vegetable can be planted as seedlings in March (11-14, 22, 27-28), in April (1-2, 9-10, 13-14, 18-19, 28-29). Planting seedlings or seeds under cover in open ground in May (4-6, 15-17, 20, 21, 25, 26) in June (1-4.7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 22, 28 , thirty). The latter concerns Chinese cabbage.

Unfavorable days: March (9, 24-25), April (8, 15-17, 20, 22, 23), May (7, 22, 23), June (5, 21).

When choosing varieties, it is necessary to take into account the goals that will guide planting. For example, early cabbage is consumed fresh. Mid-season varieties are used for short-term fermentation, late varieties are used for long-term storage and making preparations.

The age of seedlings is determined based on its actual condition. The growing season is the period required to reach technical maturity. It is usually indicated on the package of seeds.

Many people advise planting different varieties of cabbage at the same time. This becomes possible if the climate permits.

Also, one should not forget about species and varietal characteristics.

White cabbage is considered the most cold-resistant crop. The same can be said about broccoli, kohlrabi, savoy, red cabbage and Brussels sprouts.

Beijing cabbage is planted later than other varieties. This is explained by its heat-loving nature and relatively short growing season.

Landing dates

The time for planting cabbage in open ground depends on two factors: the cabbage variety and the growing region. Early ripening varieties are usually planted in late April or early May, when the night temperature is 8-10 degrees. Medium and late varieties - 2-3 weeks later.

If you adhere to folk superstitions, focus on the bird cherry blossoms. Usually after this period there are no return frosts. Also, experienced gardeners advise planting early-ripening cabbage after the daffodils bloom, and late-ripening cabbage after the chestnuts have faded.

For work, choose a cloudy day, preferably before rain. Thanks to this weather, the seedlings will quickly take root in the garden bed.

Features of growing seedlings at home

When choosing a seedling method, seeds are sown in a box or in separate plastic containers. When determining deadlines, you need to consider the following nuances:

• seedlings appear 8-12 days after planting;
• It takes about 50 more days for adult seedlings to form.

Based on this, the seed should be planted in the prepared soil mixture 2 months before moving the seedlings into open ground.

To obtain strong seedlings, it is necessary to maintain a certain temperature regime. When sprouts appear, it should not exceed +9 °C at night and +17 °C during the day, otherwise the seedlings will stretch.

Picking is carried out after the appearance of the first pair of true leaves. This procedure will help strengthen the root system, provide adequate lighting and nutrition. The sprouts in the box should not be too close to each other.

It is strictly forbidden to water seedlings with cold water. This can trigger the appearance of blackleg symptoms.

Diseases and pests of cabbage seedlings

Growing cabbage seedlings is almost impossible without any nuances associated with the appearance of diseases and pests. In order to respond to a particular problem in a timely manner, you need to be able to recognize it and take the right measures.

Diseases

The most common diseases of cabbage seedlings include blackleg, downy mildew, fusarium and others.

Blackleg

A fungal infection that affects the stem and root system of a plant. The main symptom is the blackened root collar of the seedling, its thinning, and then drying out. Favorable conditions for the development of this disease are:

• high humidity,
• warm soil,
• thickened plantings,
• acidic soil,
• lack of air flow between plants.

To determine soil acidity, use a special device or indicator strips (pH test). Cabbage requires an acidity level between pH 6–8.

To prevent the development of black leg, you must follow the rules for growing seedlings:

• prepare the soil with the required acidity level;
• do not over-moisten the soil;
• avoid dense plantings;
• treat seeds and soil before sowing.

Black leg is the most common disease of cabbage seedlings, in which darkening forms in the root zone of the stem

If the disease still affects the plants, you can resort to the following methods of combating it:

• remove the damaged sprout from the seedling box along with the earthen lump;
• transplant healthy plantings into new disinfected soil, and throw away diseased ones along with the soil;
• treat healthy plants with a solution of copper sulfate, Bordeaux mixture or potassium permanganate;
• add soda to the soil (1 teaspoon per 1 glass of water).

Powdery mildew

Symptoms of seedling infection with powdery mildew are the appearance of white spots on seedlings. Although powdery mildew is not considered a serious disease, especially for mature plants, it can cause harm to young ones, so the plants should be treated. One of the best options for these purposes is Fitosporin-M.

Powdery mildew causes white spots to appear on plants, which can harm young cabbage seedlings.

Downy mildew

With downy mildew, the leaves are damaged and die prematurely. The disease also occurs when the conditions for growing seedlings are not met. To combat the disease, you can use a solution of copper sulfate, liquid soap, or fungicides like Topaz (1 tablespoon of any of the listed products per 10 water).

Downy mildew occurs when the conditions for growing cabbage seedlings are not met.

Alternaria blight

The fungal disease affects both adult and young plants and manifests itself in the form of black spots on the leaves. When the head of cabbage is formed, spots cover the outer leaves, on which you can observe a coating similar to soot - these are fungal spores. To prevent the disease, seeds are treated with Planriz before planting, and crop rotation rules are followed. If the seedlings are still affected by Alternaria, you should use drugs such as Skor, Quadris.

Alternaria cabbage appears in the form of black patches on the cotyledons, and then on the outer leaves

Fusarium wilt

Fusarium wilt affects not only cabbage, but also other cruciferous crops. You can determine that plants are affected by this fungal disease by yellow spots on the leaves, followed by drying out and dying. On older plants, a small and deformed head of cabbage is formed. If an affected plant is found in the garden bed, it must be removed and disposed of, and the planting site should be treated with such products as Benomil, Tecto, Topsin-M.

With Fusarium wilt of cabbage, yellowing of the foliage is observed, followed by drying out and dying.

Kila

The following signs indicate the appearance of this disease on a plant:

• leaves dry and wither;
• Tuber-shaped growths form on the roots.

The affected seedling must be removed from the soil along with the roots and burned. The reason for the appearance of clubroot on cabbage is heavy and acidic soil, i.e., the soil is not suitable for this crop.

Infection of cabbage with clubroot can be judged by yellowing and wilting of the leaves at the edges and a stop in the development of the head of cabbage.

Pests of seedlings

Pests can cause no less harm to young plants, so timely and correct control is necessary.

Aphid

Cabbage aphids are small insects that damage the leaves of the crop. You can judge whether a plant is affected by this pest by a white or brown coating on the leaves followed by their subsequent curling. You can fight aphids using different means:

• decoction of tobacco leaves,
• insecticidal soap,
• Deltamethrin.

Aphids on cabbage infect leaves, causing them to curl

Cabbage moth

The pest is a butterfly that feeds on plant sap. The greatest damage to seedlings is caused by caterpillars: they eat leaves, ovaries and stems. As a result of such damage, the metabolism of the leaves is disrupted, and in hot weather they get sunburned. After eating the ovaries, the future harvest is noticeably reduced. Among the chemical agents for pest control, you can use Decis, Actellik, Ripcord. You need to collect caterpillars and eggs from plants, weed weeds. There are also folk recipes, but this treatment must be repeated several times to achieve the effect:

• a solution of wood ash (2 cups of ash and 1 cup of crushed laundry soap per 10 liters of water), which is used to spray plants;
• infusion of celandine or wormwood (crushed bushes are diluted with boiling water in a ratio of 1/5 and left for half an hour).

The cabbage moth caterpillar eats the leaves, ovaries and stems of cabbage, which leads to the death of the plant.

Cruciferous flea beetles

This is a small bug (2–4 mm), which has good jumping ability and eats leaves and stems of young plants, and insect larvae damage the roots of seedlings. If there are a large number of flea beetles, the plant may die within a few days. Even if the plantings can be saved from the bug, the appearance will be ruined. Therefore, it is recommended to take preventive measures in advance:

• prevent the growth of cruciferous weeds (shepherd's purse, rapeseed, wild radish);
• carry out weeding, loosening and fertilizing in a timely manner;
• plant cabbage near phytoncidal plants.

Phytoncidal plants, which include calendula, marigolds, and nasturtium, emit an odor that repels the cruciferous flea beetle.

When a pest invades, they resort to the use of drugs such as Decis, Karbofos, Aktara.

The cruciferous flea beetle in large quantities can destroy cabbage by eating leaves

Cabbage fly

The female insect lays eggs in the heated soil near the plants, and the hatched larvae damage the roots of the seedlings, which leads to their withering and death. To combat, use the chemicals Topaz, Zemlin, Iskra, Karbofos or Rovikurt. You can also resort to traditional methods, for example, dilute 5 ml of ammonia in a bucket of water and water the cabbage beds.

When cabbage sprouts are damaged by the cabbage fly, the plants wither and become sick.

Cabbage whites

This pest is known to everyone as the cabbage butterfly, but it is not the cabbage butterfly that poses the danger, but its caterpillars, which eat cabbage leaves. The caterpillars are easily recognized by their yellow-green color with transverse dots on the body. The most effective way to combat the pest is to inspect cabbage leaves and destroy eggs and caterpillars. It is also advisable to inspect the plants planted near the cabbage. Various insecticides can be used against whiteweed, but the most effective are Fitoverm and Kinmiks. You can prepare mustard infusion:

1. Pour 100 g of dry powder into 10 liters of hot water and leave for several days.
2. Before use, dilute the solution in a 1:1 ratio with water and spray the plants.

Cabbage white caterpillars eat cabbage leaves, often leaving only large veins

Growing seedlings in greenhouses and greenhouses

Seed material must be calibrated and processed before planting. This is necessary in order to prevent the negative effects of pathogens and pests. Proper preparation is the key to high immunity. Disinfection is carried out using a solution of potassium permanganate.

The scheme is drawn up based on the approximate plan of agrotechnical measures. If the gardener decides not to pick, at least 5 cm should be left between the seeds. If this point is present, the optimal distance is 3 cm. Planting depth is from 2 to 4 cm.

If the required temperature conditions are met, seedlings will appear 4 days after planting. They need to be pollinated with wood ash. During the day in the greenhouse it should be from +15 to +17 °C, at night - no more than +9 °C.

Rules for caring for seedlings

Before planting cabbage seedlings in open ground, you need to obtain healthy seedlings. Planting cabbage seedlings in the ground will give you the opportunity to get a good harvest if the planting material is large and strong. Caring for seedlings includes the following techniques:

1. Watering. Carry out periodically, not allowing the soil to dry out. The vegetable crop is a moisture-loving crop, but with excess moisture it is affected by viral and fungal infections. The water should be settled and warm. It is better to water young, fragile sprouts from a pear or syringe.
2. Illumination. Seeds are sown early, when daylight hours are still short. For proper growth, light is required for 12-15 hours. For additional illumination, phytolamps are used.
3. Temperature conditions. For germination t=+20 C, then it is reduced to +17 C to harden the seedlings and stop them from stretching. You can sow seeds in a greenhouse, which acts as a “cold nursery”. Hardened and squat seedlings grow in it.
4. Picking. You need to plant cabbage seedlings using the picking technique. The seedlings are carefully removed from the common container, the main root is pinched and transferred to a separate container for subsequent growth. When transplanting, seedlings are buried down to the cotyledons.
5. Feeding. Seedlings are fed three times during the growth period: the first time - 9 days after picking, the second - 2 weeks after the first, tritium - a week before planting in the ground. Complex formulations intended for cruciferous crops are used.
6. Prevention. Using basic techniques and knowing how to plant seedlings, you should not neglect prevention methods. After picking, seedlings are treated against infections with Trichodermin or Rizoplan (according to the instructions). Intovir or Fitoverm protects seedlings from pests.

Note: Concentrated fertilizer mixtures can burn the roots, so the soil must be watered before applying them.

Before planting grown cabbage seedlings in open ground, the strongest and healthiest seedlings are selected, and the rest are discarded.

Features of planting different types of cabbage

White cabbage can be grown in seedlings and without seedlings. Moreover, seedlings are grown only in protected soil. The remaining types of cabbage have their own characteristics in planting.

1. Chinese and Chinese cabbage should be planted directly into the ground. When growing seedlings, it becomes necessary to transfer the sprouts from a common box into peat pots and into open soil. These events negatively affect the formation of the vegetable.
2. Cauliflower needs fertile soil. The plant is characterized by heat, light and moisture-loving properties. If the air temperature rises above +25 °C, the soil may dry out. The result of this is the appearance of a cavity in the stalk and the formation of loose, small heads.
3. Broccoli is brightly colored. The vegetable can be purple, green or yellow-green. Its characteristic feature is unpretentiousness. There are usually no difficulties with growing this crop.
4. Collard greens do not produce dense, large heads of cabbage. Its distinctive features include the presence of curly-leaved and flat-leaved forms and high frost resistance. This variety is suitable for growing in a shaded area. The soil may be characterized by low acidity. Seedlings are placed in open ground when their age reaches 50 days.
5. Brussels sprouts have a tall stem, on which small heads of cabbage appear over time. Their diameter does not exceed 7 cm. The growing season ranges from 135 to 160 days.
6. Kohlrabi is a stem fruit characterized by a delicate taste and juiciness.

Planting by seedling method

Seedlings are planted 45 days before they are transferred to open ground.

Sowing seeds

After processing the seeds, they are dried and planted in a container with moist soil to a depth of 0.5-0.7 cm. The distance between the rows is about 3 cm. Cover the top with film or glass and maintain a temperature of +18... +20 for 4-5 days degrees.

When sprouts appear, remove the film and move the box to a bright place. Make sure that the seedlings are not exposed to direct sunlight, otherwise they will get burned. To develop, seedlings need 12-14 hours of daylight, so artificial lighting is used in the evening.

Until the true leaf is formed, the temperature is maintained at +6... +8 degrees, then raised to +15 during the daytime and to +10 at night. In such conditions, the seedlings will not stretch and harden.

Water no more than twice a week, avoiding excess moisture. Don't forget about loosening.

Picking

Cabbage seedlings are picked after the appearance of two true leaves. At the same time, pay attention to the condition of the sprouts - if they are too weak, it is better to wait a little.

Plastic cups, cassettes and other containers with a volume of 0.2-0.5 liters are suitable as containers. They must have drainage holes.

The seedlings need to be watered with warm water and after a few hours dived to a new place. Try to ensure that there is a small lump of earth on the roots. To do this, carefully dig up the seedling with a wooden stick and remove it from the soil.

After transplanting, the seedlings are removed to a warm place with a temperature of up to +22 degrees for a couple of days, and then returned to their previous conditions.

Transplantation into open ground

The readiness of seedlings to move to an open bed is indicated by the presence of 4-5 strong leaves on the seedlings.

The bed is dug up, weeds are removed and holes are made 15 cm deep at a distance of up to 50 cm from each other. The same space should be between the rows. Cabbage loves light and air, so it needs free space to develop.

You can plant carrots, onions or oats in the rows.

Add mineral fertilizers, a tablespoon of wood ash, manure or other nutrients to the bottom of each hole. They must be mixed with soil and sprinkled with an additional layer on top so as not to burn the root system.

The seedlings are taken out of the container, the roots are dipped in a solution of a growth stimulator and planted in the ground at the level of the cotyledon leaves. Sprinkle with damp soil and tamp down carefully.

During the first seven days, it is advisable to shade the planting with agrofibre to protect young seedlings from stress.

Preparing for planting in open ground

The first step is choosing a suitable location. It should be well lit. The list of basic requirements also includes humidity and light. If cabbage is planted in the shade, you will not have to expect a good harvest.

On the hottest days, it is recommended to shade the plant a little. Otherwise, delicate leaves may be damaged. Due to exposure to direct sunlight, burns occur.

The crop should be planted on cultivated soil. The list of optimal options includes lowland peat bogs, loams, floodplain and sandy loam lands.

To achieve maximum effectiveness, you need to monitor the acidity level (pH). For soddy-podzolic soils, this indicator should vary from 6.5 to 7.0, for peat-bog soils - from 5.0 to 5.5.

Planting cabbage in acidic soil is strictly prohibited.

To stabilize acidity, dolomite flour or wood ash is added to the ground. They contain magnesium and calcium. Experienced gardeners add tobacco dust to these components. This prevents the appearance of cruciferous flea beetles.

You should also consider what crops were previously planted in the chosen location. It is desirable that it be clover, potatoes, and onions. The list is supplemented with cucumbers, beets and fodder annuals.

Cabbage draws a lot of nutrients from the soil, so it is not recommended to plant it in the same area. The land after this crop needs phytosanitary improvement.

To make the soil more fertile, it is fertilized with potassium and nitrogen fertilizers. Most agricultural activities are carried out in spring and autumn. In addition to mineral complexes, organic matter must be added to the soil. Minerals, compost, manure and humus are placed in the ground in the fall.

The site chosen for planting is prepared in the fall.

The beds should be located from east to west.

Digging helps to increase breathability and looseness. An additional benefit of fall treatment is pest control. Fertilizer is applied to the soil in the first spring months. The complex composition should contain organic substances (rotted manure, compost) and minerals (potassium, phosphorus). The feeding mixture can be purchased at a special store.

Preparation for landing

To cultivate cabbage through seedlings, it is necessary to prepare containers, soil and seed material.

Preparing soil and containers

The selection and preparation of soil must be approached with special attention. The first land you come across is not good. If, for example, we look at soil from a garden, it may contain dangerous microorganisms and pest larvae. It is better to buy a mixture for growing seedlings ready-made or make it yourself. You can choose one of the recipes:

• turf soil, peat and humus in a ratio of 1:1:1;
• peat, turf soil and coarse sand - 1: 3: 1/4;
• wood ash, lime, coarse sand - 1:1/4:1/4.

To grow cabbage seedlings, buy a soil mixture or prepare it yourself

The main qualities that soil for seedlings must meet are fertility, water and air permeability.

It is better to start preparing the soil in the fall and store it in a cool place until spring.

To sow and grow cabbage seedlings at home, you can use:

• cups,
• pots,
• boxes,
• cassette.

The container is selected depending on the expected number of plants that will be grown. If the volumes are large, then it is more reasonable to use seedling boxes and cassettes with subsequent picking of seedlings. Regardless of what you will sow into, there must be holes in the bottom of the container so that water does not stagnate.

Cabbage seedlings can be grown both in seedling boxes and in separate containers

It is recommended to treat the container with a solution of potassium permanganate. To do this, dilute 5 g of potassium permanganate in a bucket of hot water (almost boiling). The prepared solution is poured over the containers and tools used for planting.

Seed preparation

Before sowing, seeds need to be prepared:

• select quality material,
• disinfect it
• increase germination.

Calibration

Cabbage seeds are calibrated in a 3% salt solution for 5 minutes. In salt water, light grains will float, and heavy grains will sink to the bottom: they should be used for planting. Then the seeds are washed in clean water and dried. For sowing, you can use not only large, but also medium-sized planting material.

Cabbage seeds must be calibrated before planting in order to select the highest quality seed material.

Germination test

To determine the germination of seed material, it is wrapped in a damp cloth, and it is better to take 100 pieces for more convenient calculation. Germination is carried out in a place where the temperature is maintained at +20–25 ˚С, while you need to monitor the condition of the tissue and not allow it to dry out. Every day the seeds are inspected, germinated ones are counted and removed. By the grains that sprouted in the first 3 days, you can determine how friendly the seedlings will be, and by those that hatched within 7 days, you can determine the germination of the seed material.

Disinfection

To disinfect seeds from pathogens of fungal and bacterial diseases, in most cases they resort to treatment with a 1–2% solution of potassium permanganate, followed by rinsing in clean water. You can achieve a greater effect by heat treatment by placing the seeds in a gauze bag in water at a temperature of +48–50 °C for 20 minutes. The specified temperature should not be exceeded, since the seeds will lose their germination, and at a lower temperature such treatment will not produce any results.

To disinfect cabbage seeds, they are treated in a 1–2% solution of potassium permanganate.

How to speed up germination

To make the seeds germinate faster, they are soaked in water at room temperature and placed in a warm place, where they should remain for about 12 hours, while it is recommended to change the water every 4 hours. The amount of liquid should be such that it just covers the seeds. During the soaking process, the grains swell. If the time for sowing has not yet come, then they are wrapped in a damp cloth and placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

Soaking can also be done in special solutions (for example, in an infusion of wood ash). To prepare it:

1. Add 2 tablespoons of ash to 1 liter of warm water.
2. Leave for a day and then filter.
3. Soak in this solution for 3 hours.
4. Afterwards, the seeds are washed with clean water.

You can speed up the germination of cabbage seeds using ash infusion, in which they are soaked for 3 hours.

Hardening

Before sowing cabbage, it is recommended to harden the seeds to increase resistance to low temperatures. After all preparatory procedures, the seed material is placed in the lower part of the refrigerator (+1–2 ˚С) for a day. After this time, the grains are dried and sowing begins.

Planting cabbage in open ground

Each variety has its own development calendar and needs. The most frost-resistant varieties are usually planted immediately in open soil. These include white and savoy cabbage. They take root well in late spring. Seedlings are planted when there are 5-15 leaves on the seedlings. The exact planting dates are determined based on climatic conditions. The air temperature at which cabbage is planted in the ground should not be less than +18 °C.

The distance between plants is 25 cm, between rows 40-50 cm. For late cabbage, the distance needs to be increased by 10 cm. After planting, water well and mulch.

This culture loves its neighbors. Between the emerging heads of cabbage you can plant onions, spinach and various salads. These plants have a superficial root system.

Cabbage seedlings - when to plant seeds for seedlings

Both adult plants and young seedlings easily tolerate cold weather. Therefore, even a novice gardener can grow cabbage seedlings. By growing them in a polycarbonate greenhouse, which can now be found in almost any summer cottage, you can easily breed strong and healthy seedlings. Therefore, sowing seeds is the most crucial moment. And you need to start growing them on time, so that by the time they are transplanted to a permanent place in open ground, they are already well strengthened and grown. In order not to damage them during transplantation and at the same time so that they do not outgrow. Overgrown plants adapt less well to new conditions.

When calculating the time of planting seeds, know that the seeds germinate in 3-4 days. And it will take another 30-35 days for the seedlings to grow and become stronger before planting in open ground.

The optimal temperature for growing is +8-10º at night and +12-15ºС during the day. It will not be possible to grow strong and healthy plants in an apartment (house), so it is better to grow them in closed polycarbonate greenhouses, on a glazed and insulated balcony. But it will not be possible to achieve such temperatures the same everywhere, since spring arrives at different times in each region. Much also depends on the variety and type of cabbage itself.

Landing technology

The method of placing cabbage in garden beds depends on the type of crop. Pay attention to the following diagrams:

• early and medium red, white cabbage – 40 x 50 cm;
• red and white late cabbage - 60 x 60 or 60 x 70 cm;
• Beijing - 30 x 30 or 30 x 40 cm;
• color – 40 x 60 cm;
• kohlrabi – 50 x 70 cm;
• broccoli – 40 x 50 cm;
• Brussels sprouts - 60 x 60 or 60 x 70 cm;
• Savoy – 40 x 40 or 50 x 50 cm.

Transplant process:

1. Pour plenty of water into the prepared holes and let it soak completely.
2. Remove the seedlings from the container. To do this, it is better to use the transfer technology, but it is only suitable for individual glasses: Use your fingers to knead all sides of the container.
3. Turn it upside down.
4. Shaking slightly, remove the plant along with the lump of earth, holding it with your other hand.

If desired, lay down mulch (straw, peat, leaves, etc.), but this procedure is not necessary for all types of cabbage.

How to grow cabbage seedlings in a snail

An original method of preparing seedlings that significantly saves space on the windowsill.

For this planting method you will need:

• some seedling soil;
• foam tape (linoleum backing), 10 cm wide and about a meter long;
• elastic band or rope;
• wide round dishes;
• seeds.

The tape is laid out on the table along its entire length, soil is poured onto it in a layer of 1-1.5 cm. Stepping back 1 cm from the top edge, cabbage seeds are laid out along the entire length of the tape, at a distance of 3-5 cm. Sprinkle them with soil.

Using caution, carefully roll up the roll with seeds and soil, forming a “snail”. Secure the structure with an elastic band or string.

The snail is placed upright (side with the seeds facing up!) in a prepared container with water poured into it. That's it, landing is complete.

Cabbage seedlings feel good in this design until picking. It is very convenient to plant plants - just unroll the tape and the roots will appear “in full view”. You don't have to untangle or soak anything.

How to determine that seedlings are ready for transplanting?

The first thing people pay attention to is the strength of the trunk and the power of the root system, the absence of damage and diseases. Other indicators depend on the type of cabbage crop. Let's look at the main parameters using white cabbage as an example:

Cauliflower has smaller and rounder leaves, Savoy cabbage has carved and pimply leaves, kohlrabi has thickened roots.

Timing for planting seedlings

In different regions, the optimal timing for planting cabbage seedlings in beds differs significantly. Taking into account climatic conditions and the length of the growing season of certain types of crops, these activities are recommended to be carried out:

When planning planting dates, some gardeners rely on the recommendations of “lunar” sowing calendars. The most favorable days, from the point of view of astrologers, in May and June 2021 can be found in the articles on our website.

Cabbage pests

You learned how to destroy aphids, caterpillars, larvae and gastropods from the section on processing cabbage. But the plant has many enemies among insects, and in this section of the article we will talk about how you can get rid of other pests from the insect world. Serious enemies of cabbage are cruciferous bugs - colorful bugs up to a centimeter in size that overwinter in the soil. At the end of April they begin to feed on seedlings, at the beginning of summer the females lay eggs, after two weeks larvae emerge from them, and after a month adult bugs appear. These insects feed on cabbage juice by piercing its leaves. The puncture site becomes dead, and if there are many such areas, the leaves of the seedlings wither, dry out and die. Bugs cause the most severe damage to cabbage during drought.

As a preventive measure, it is necessary to remove from the site weeds from the Brassica family - rapeseed, silverweed, field grass, shepherd's purse, alyssum and fireweed. After harvesting cabbage, do not leave weeds on the site, collect them and burn them. Bedbugs can be destroyed by treating cabbage seedlings before the formation of heads of cabbage with Actellik or Fosbecid.

The cabbage leaf beetle, a small ovoid bug up to 5 mm long, damages plant leaves by eating holes in them or making indentations along the edges. Leaf beetles also overwinter in the soil, and in May their females lay eggs, from which larvae emerge after 10-12 days, feeding by scraping the skin from the leaves. As a preventive measure, it is necessary, as in the case of fighting bedbugs, to remove cruciferous weeds from the site. And you can scare away leaf beetles by daily morning spraying cabbage on dew with a mixture of tobacco dust with slaked lime or ash in a 1:1 ratio. Before the heads of cabbage begin to form, you can treat the cabbage with a two percent solution of Actellica or the less toxic biological preparation Bankol.

Another enemy of cruciferous plants is the secretive proboscis - a black bug up to 3 mm long. The larvae of the secretive proboscis are dangerous, gnawing passages in the petioles of leaves, penetrating the stem and descending through tunnels made in it into the root of the cabbage. In this case, the conducting system is damaged, the leaves turn yellow, the plants stop developing and die. In the fight against this pest, it is very important to remove plant debris from the site in the fall, and then dig up the soil. During the growing season, timely weeding and removal of plants affected by the pest from the site are important. Chemical agents that destroy the secretive proboscis are Actellik and Fosbecid, but treatment with insecticides is permissible only at the early stage of seedling development in open ground.

Planting cabbage seeds

Algorithm of actions:

1. The soil is poured into the container so that it is at least 1 cm below the sides (otherwise water will leak out when watering). Plastic cassettes with cells are filled to the top, because they, as a rule, already have a small volume, and when watering, water spreads over adjacent cells.

The soil is poured into the container so that it is at least 1 cm below the sides

In a separate container, holes are made in the ground with a depth of 1.5–2 cm. In the boxes, grooves are made of the same depth. If the seedlings become dense, plant them more densely - 2–3 cm between rows and 1–2 cm between plants. If the seedlings will grow in a box before planting in the garden, plant less often - 6–7 cm between rows and 5–6 cm between plants. If the soil is too dry, moisten it. After planting, sprinkle with loose soil so that the seeds are at a depth of about 1–1.5 cm.

Cabbage seeds are sown to a depth of 1–1.5 cm

The ground is watered from a small watering can or plastic bottle with holes made in the cork. Use warm water that has been left at room temperature to saturate it with oxygen for at least several hours. Watering with a direct, powerful stream can compact the soil and wash away the seeds. After watering, the seedlings are covered with different materials until the first shoots. Newsprint can be placed directly on the ground. It is light and will not be able to crush the seedlings. Heavier cardboard, plywood, plastic or glass are placed on the sides of the container. Under shelter, the soil and air retain moisture better, and this improves germination. The soil under newspaper dries out faster than under other materials, but it makes it easier to control soil moisture. If the newspaper is dry, water it directly over it 1-2 times a day (more often in the sun, less often in cloudy weather). The soil must be constantly moist; when it dries out, watering is needed. At room temperature, seedlings appear on the 3rd–5th day.

At room temperature, cabbage shoots will appear on the 3rd–5th day

Sometimes containers with seedlings are covered or covered with film. This creates greenhouse conditions (stable humidity and elevated temperature) and will speed up germination by 1–2 days. But a nursery covered with transparent glass and film can very quickly overheat under the sun, especially at room temperature. Therefore, transparent shelters should not be airtight; they leave gaps of 2–3 cm on both sides, and holes can be made in the film.

Video: cabbage seedlings on the windowsill