How and when to plant cabbage for seedlings and in open ground

Cabbage is a vegetable from the cruciferous family that requires the right approach when growing. To get a rich harvest with large and strong heads of cabbage, first determine the planting pattern and time, the rules of watering and fertilizing. Any mistake made when growing this vegetable leads to slower growth, and in some cases, to the death of the plant.

From the article you will learn about planting and caring for white cabbage in open ground.

How to plant seedlings at home

To obtain strong cabbage seedlings, it is important to follow all recommendations for growing this vegetable.

These include:

1. Choosing the most suitable variety. In total, there are 3 main types - early-ripening, mid-ripening and late-ripening. The first 2 are suitable for fresh consumption and preparing salads for the winter, the later ones are suitable for long-term storage.
2. Soil preparation. This needs to be taken care of in the fall. The optimal soil for obtaining strong seedlings is a mixture of soil from the site, humus and turf in a ratio of 1:1:1. To fertilize and disinfect the soil, add 1 tbsp. wood ash per 1 sq. m. Before planting seeds, the ground is treated with antiseptic agents. For this, a strong solution of potassium permanganate is most often used.
3. Seed preparation. Select seed that is smooth and without signs of mold or other damage. Then soak it in an antiseptic solution for 10 minutes. Various fungicides are used for this. For example, “Maxim”, “Vitaros” or “Fitolavin”.
4. The last step will be hardening, for which the seeds are first kept in warm water, then in cold water. Treatment with growth stimulants, for example, Immunocytophyte, Epin or Zircon, will help increase germination.

Before emergence and several days after that, the optimal temperature for seedlings will be +20°C.

Sowing scheme

How to plant correctly:

1. The soil must be moist. Place no more than 2 seeds per 1 cm. You can grow seedlings in peat tablets, with 1 pc. there are 2 seeds.
2. The seed material is immersed in the soil no more than 1 cm. Then the boxes with future seedlings are covered with cling film or glass and put away in a warm, dark place.
3. After emergence of seedlings (after 4-5 days), the shelter is removed, and the box is moved to the windowsill. At the same time, the seedlings are protected from direct sunlight, otherwise they may get burned.

Features of care

To prevent the cabbage from dying, it is carefully looked after. To do this, follow the following recommendations:

1. Temperature regime. The first days after emergence and before the formation of the first true leaf, the air temperature should be +6...+8°C. Then it is raised to +16°C during the day and to +8...+10°C at night. This will prevent the seedlings from stretching and harden them.
2. Light mode. A 12-hour day is optimal for cabbage, so it is provided with light in the morning and evening.
3. Loosening and watering. Cabbage seedlings are watered 1-2 times a week, avoiding waterlogging. Loosening prevents the appearance of a crust on the soil surface and protects the roots of seedlings from rotting and blackleg.
4. Treatment with antiseptics. 7 days after emergence, treat the soil with copper sulfate or a solution of potassium permanganate.
5. Picking. When 2 true leaves appear, the seedlings need to be thinned.When picking, seedlings are planted in separate cups or placed in one box at a distance of 5-6 cm from each other.

Before planting in open ground, seedlings are prepared for a change of location. To do this, perform a number of actions:

1. A week before planting, stop watering. 2 hours before this, the seedlings are well filled with water so as not to damage the root system during planting.
2. For 14 days, seedlings are fed with mineral fertilizers.
3. 2 weeks before moving the seedlings to a permanent place, the hardening procedure begins. To do this, they are taken out into the open air. It is recommended to start with 20 minutes, gradually increasing to several hours.

When to plant cabbage in the ground

The timing of planting a plant in a permanent place depends on the cabbage variety and region. To calculate the exact time, count 45 days from the moment the seeds are planted.

Sowing cabbage in open ground

Before planting seedlings in open ground, choose a place, a suitable time and prepare the soil.

When to sow

The seedlings must be completely ready to move into open ground:

• height of seedlings – at least 20 cm;
• the hardening period has passed;
• from 4 to 8 true leaves appeared;
• The seedlings are healthy, without signs of disease and pest damage.

Experienced gardeners recommend planting cabbage seedlings after the bird cherry blossoms have bloomed. In this case, the air temperature should be at least +8...+10°C, and the soil temperature – +10°C.

What kind of soil does white cabbage like?

Properly prepared soil is one of the main conditions for obtaining a good harvest. White cabbage requires neutral or slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter.

A mixture of humus, turf and ash would be optimal. All components are taken in equal parts and mixed with the soil in the hole.

It is also important to observe crop rotation. Cabbage is grown after peas, beets, onion, carrots, cucumbers, legumes and potatoes.

Where is the best place to plant cabbage?

Cabbage is a very light-loving plant, so it is grown in a well-lit area, avoiding the proximity of tall plants.

Immediately after planting, it is covered with covering material so that the seedlings become stronger and are not damaged by direct sunlight and wind. Adult plants easily tolerate it, so they do not need special protection.

Sowing scheme

To get a good cabbage harvest, it is imperative to adhere to the planting scheme, which directly depends on cabbage varieties.

How to plant:

• late varieties - 70 x 45-70 cm or 60 x 45-50 cm;
• mid-season - 60 x 40-60 cm or 70 x 50 cm;
• early ripening - 50 x 50 cm, 70 x 30-35 cm or 60 x 35-40 cm.

If you plant the seedlings too close, the formation of heads of cabbage will slow down or they will not appear at all.

Caring for cabbage in open ground

After planting in open ground, cabbage is provided with proper care, which consists of timely watering, loosening and application of mineral and organic fertilizers.

Cabbage is fertilized in 3 stages:

1. No less than 2 weeks after planting the seedlings in a permanent place. They are watered with a solution of bird droppings, mullein (1 tbsp per 10 liters of water) or ammonium nitrate (15 g per 10 liters of water).
2. 20 days after the first feeding. To do this, use a mixture of potassium chloride, superphosphate and ammonium nitrate in proportions 1:2:1. For 1 bush 1 liter of product.
3. In another 20 days. Fertilizing is done only if there are problems with the appearance of ovaries. To do this, place a handful of wood ash under each bush and mix it with the soil.

To protect the plant from diseases and pests, it is periodically treated with antiseptic compounds.

Important! Cabbage loves moisture, so the soil should not be allowed to dry out. It is optimal to water it at least once a week.

Conclusion

When growing cabbage, it is very important to choose the right seed material, soil and optimal planting time. Maintenance measures include timely watering, loosening and fertilizing. Compliance with all recommendations guarantees a good harvest.