How To Grow Cabbage

 

Temperature: Both cabbages and kales prefer cool weather and can withstand light frosts.
Exposure: Best in full sun
Soil pH: Slightly alkaline (pH 7.0)
Soil Type: Rich, well-drained soil. Lots of organic matter.

Starting Cabbage and Kale from Seed
Cabbage seed can be started indoors:


Cabbage  Growing
Sow seeds 1cm deep, in sterile starting mix.
Water thoroughly.
Once the seeds have sprouted, keep the soil lightly moist and provide a source of light.
Feed the plants with  fertilizer every two weeks.
Once the plants have two sets of true leaves, harden the plants off by setting them outside. Start with two hours a day, and increase by two hours each day until they remain outdoors overnight.
Set the plants at least 30cm apart; space rows 60 to 90cm apart, depending on the variety.


Kale and Chinese cabbage
These are best direct seeded in the garden. 
Sow seeds 1cm deep, 3 to 4 seeds together at the desired plant spacing
Water well; keep the top level of soil moist, especially for drier mid-summer planting.
Once the seedlings are several inches tall, with at least two sets of leaves, pinch out all but the strongest one in each group.

Growing Cabbage and Kale from Purchased Transplants
Choose healthy looking plants. (Note: If you see small white moths with a black dot on their wings hovering, these are likely cabbage moths, which lay their eggs on the plants; don’t buy these plants.)

Set the plants at least 30cm apart; space rows 60 to 90cm apart, depending on the variety.


Keep plants lightly moist. Irrigation is especially important to help the young plants withstand the intense sunlight and heat of summer and to supply the developing heads with sufficient water to develop quickly.

Mulch with 3 to 5cm of organic matter, keeping the mulch 1cm away from the stem of the plant. Mulching helps keep the soil moist, feeds the plants, and controls weeds.


Pest Problems
Aphids - Control aphids by spraying with frequent hard blasts of water; try spraying with insecticidal soap or hot pepper spray.

Cabbage Loopers - The small white moths in the gardens lay eggs that turn into cabbage loopers. Cover the plants with screening or floating row cover to prevent this.

Susceptible to Soil Borne Diseases - Rotate crops; i.e., do not plant any members of the cabbage family (including broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, rapini, Brussels sprouts, mustard) in the same place. for four years.

 Types Of Cabbages

"Copenhagen Market"

It is open-pollinated. It is the most popular amongst the ball-headed cabbages and a great favourite for the both home and market gardeners in Zimbabwe at present. The heads are uniform round, firm, medium sized and weighing about 2-3 kg. The plant is short-stemmed and rather small, and can be spaced closer. It is early maturing, approx. 60-70 days after transplanting. It is rather sensitive to splitting and should not be left in the field for too long after maturity. It is a highly dependable and productive variety.

"Glory of Enkhuizen"

It is open-pollinated. A nice and attractive variety which is presently more popular in East and Central Africa. The plant is low and relatively wide. The heads are medium large, flat round, green, firm and sweet (sweeter than any drumhead type). It matures after about 12 weeks with the head weighing about 3.5 kg. Harvesting is spread for about 3 weeks thus market supply can be over a long period.

"Prize Drumhead"

It is open-pollinated. A very late maturing variety in about 18-19 weeks. The heads are flat, solid, largest is about 30 cm in diameter and can weigh more than 5 kg. Plants are spreading type and very large, A hardy variety which produces high yields.

"Sugar Loaf"

It takes about 75 days from transpling to harvest. Head is conical and weighs about 2 kg. Prefers cool conditions. Its suitable for areas with well distributed moderate to heavy rainfall. It should be planted in well drained soils. Does well in Eastern Highlands.

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