Cabbage cultivation and planting tips in containers

 Cabbage  planting tips in containers

Cabbage is very nutritious and there are many dishes we can make from them. They can be roasted, baked, roasted, wrapped, eaten as salads, pickles, and raw.

Also, they can grow easily. They do not need large grounds and terraces or raised beds to grow them. In fact, they can be easily grown in containers. You will definitely enjoy growing them.

Did you choose which cabbage you want to grow? You can start to reproduce by seeds or seedlings.

Make sure the type of cabbage you grow is suitable for the current season and the climatic conditions in your area. When buying a seed packet it will have notes written on it.

If you want to start growing cabbage from seedlings, the instructions are attached to them, or talk to the seller. Check with nurseries in your area or online.

 If you live in a frost-free area, seedlings can be planted at any time when the temperature is in the range of 50-85 F (10-30 C). When they begin to mature, the ideal temperature is 60-70 F (15-20 C). This ensures excellent taste and growth!

For warmer climates below USDA Zones 9-11, you can sow the seeds in the fall and sow them in late winter. For colder areas, it is best to start sowing seeds from early spring to summer. You will get plenty of harvest in the summer or fall!

Tools to use for growing cabbage

You will need some tools to grow the cabbages from seeds until you transfer them to containers. Here are the things you need:

Spreading trays - you can get them here. Or use egg trays, disposable containers, trays, milk cartons, or eggshells from your kitchen.

Seed opening mix - does not need to contain soil. Typically, homemade seed starters contain beet moss, or cocoa beet, and perlite or vermiculite. Some characteristics of a good mix are:

The weight is lighter than the potting mix.

Made of fine particles, it facilitates root growth and propagation.

No compost.

Potting soil or garden soil - Once the seeds have germinated, the seedlings can be transplanted into a container with a good medium, where they can grow and receive nutrients until harvest time. You can easily buy them at your nearest horticultural store or online or create your DIY garden soil. This is great because you know what's in it and they are new.

Containers - They can be pots, buckets, basins, large bowls, or old recycled containers that you have at home. Cabbage grows well in a container 10-12 inches wide and deep with adequate drainage. If you plant more than one cabbage of that size small heads will form. If you want to grow more cabbages in a pot, use wide containers. Make sure reusable containers or pots need to be cleaned and disinfected before being reused to another plant.

Hand milling - an essential horticultural tool for planting and potting plants.

Irrigation Can - I like to use medium-sized irrigation can for seedlings to easily control the water. A spray bottle is good for germinating seeds. Once my old spray bottle broke (will not spray) I used a plastic water bottle, punched a few small holes in the cap, and applied it to the seeds.

If you start germinating from seeds:

Sow the seeds indoors and sow according to the instructions on when you can start. Usually, this is 6-4 weeks before the last frost in the spring or 12 to 10 weeks before the first frost in the fall for fall or winter crops.

Another option is to place the plate in a place where it will be in the sun for 2-3 hours daily. The required temperature for germination is 68-77 F (20-25 C). This will take 5-15 days.

Fill your preferred seedling tray with the seed starter mixture and spray to moisten

Sow the seeds to a depth of ¼ to ½ inches (6-8 mm). The seeds can be sown separately (sectioned tray or small DIY nursery pots) or sprayed on top of the seed starting mixture. Cover the seeds with a little mixture.

Keep the mixture moist, but not wet. To create the greenhouse effect, place a cover like a dome orb with small holes Place it in a plastic bag.

Seeds should germinate in 5 to 8 days at an optimum temperature of 68-77 (F (25 ° C) or around it.

When the seedlings are 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) tall with 2 to 4 leaves, they can be transplanted into containers filled with garden soil mixture. Note that the daytime temperature reached 50 F (10 ° C). Finish by firmly tapping the soil by hand.

Next, follow the instructions for growing cabbage from seedlings.

If you are going to start growing cabbage from seedlings:

Fill pots or containers with garden soil mixture.

Make a hole about 2 inches in the center of the container and then carefully plant the seedlings. Tap the surrounding soil.

Maintain soil moisture by watering at regular intervals.

To protect the seedlings from the cold for 2 to 3 weeks after planting, cover them with a cloth and make/buy a tent or make a cool frame.

Provide seedlings with 4-6 hours of sunlight. Although they can tolerate shade, they slow growth.

Cabbage is heavy fodder. Fertilize organic manure like fish broth with half-strength or symmetrical 10-10-10 manure.

If some cabbage is infested with worms, destroy them and do not fertilize or compost.

Typically, cabbage heads take 60 to 105 days to mature. This may vary depending on the type you are growing.

Harvest the cabbage

Harvesting of cabbage depends on the type of planting and when the heads mature.

The perfect time to harvest cabbage is when the type of cabbage is grown and when the heads are maturing.

Mature heads that are ready to pick do not have to be a certain size to pick cabbage. Cabbage is ready for harvest when it is firm across the heads when squeezed.

The amount of cabbage taken varies depending on the variety and the weather in which the cabbage is grown, so the head can be large or small when they are ready.

Most green cabbage varieties mature in about 70 days and typically produce 1 to 3-pound heads.

To harvest

Cut the cabbage head with a sharp knife at its base. Then remove the yellow leaves (retaining the loose green leaves, which provide protection during storage). Bring the head home immediately or place it in the shade. Pull the plant up (roots and all) and let it hang in a damp cellar until it reaches freezing temperatures.

After harvest, remove the entire stem and roots from the soil to prevent disease.

Alternatively, after cutting the cabbage head (at the lowest point possible), attach the loose outer leaves to the stem. This will allow the cabbage harvest of sprouts to grow on the stem.

Harvest the cabbage before the rains to avoid damaged heads. If they have not yet been harvested, bring them to a place where they will not get wet in the rain, or cover or make tents. Excess water will split the head and make it inedible.