Cabbage

Common Name: Cabbage

Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea (capitata)

Family: Cruciferae

Type and Use: Biennial grown as an annual with edible leaves.

Location: Sun to partial shade

Planting Dates: For spring, 2 to 4 weeks before last frost. For fall, 10 to 12 weeks before first frost. Use transplants and set just below the first set of leaves. In general, plant February 1 - February 28 and September 1 - September 15.

Planting Method:  Plant seed indoors or in cold frame in mid-January. Plant ¼ inch deep.

Seed Emergence: 3-14 days, optimum temperature range 45-85°

Harvest Time: 60-120 days to harvest. Cabbage matures best at 60-65°.

Height:  12-24 inches

Spread: 12-18 inches

Final Spacing:  8-18 inches apart. Double row 12 inches on center is good for the home gardener; 14-18 inches is considered ideal.

Growth Habits: Cool-weather leafy vegetable that is grown as an annual. Edible foliage and flowers. Cabbage is smooth head-forming or savory (crinkled). Head shape ranges from flat to pointed. Cabbage has a relatively shallow root system.

Culture: Likes cool weather and moist, healthy soil. Keep the soil around plants mulched well. Add compost tea and organic fertilizer to the soil when the inner leaves begin to cup and start to form heads. At this point, keep the soil slightly moist. Can stand temperatures down into the 20s, especially when in an organic program. High fertility encourages firm, healthy heads. Use 25-30 pounds of organic fertilizer per 1,000 square feet. Foliar feed every two weeks with Garrett Juice. The best time to fertilize cabbage is when heads start to form. In wide rows of cabbage, that’s when the leaves of the plants are about to completely shade the row. Use a half handful of organic fertilizer.

Troubles and Solutions: Cabbage looper, imported cabbage worm, aphids, harlequin bugs, splitting heads caused by uneven moisture, flea beetles. Treat worms with trichogramma wasps and Bt products for severe infestations. Citrus-based sprays are also effective. Splitting can be reduced by root pruning to slow down growth.

Harvest and Storage: Expect about 10-20 heads per 10 feet of double row. Store in the refrigerator or eat right after harvest. Harvest the young leaves of Chinese cabbage any time. When mature, the leaves and stems can be used for miso soups and stir-frying. Can be stored 4-8 weeks at 32-40°.

Notes: The chemical experts say there is no control for the common disease black rot. Yes there is. It’s called the basic organic program. Chinese cabbage is best planted in flats and then planted into the garden soil in early spring or late summer.

Varieties:  Early Jersey Wakefield, Sanibel, Gourmet, Ruby Ball, Savory King, Bravo, Green Cup, Stonehead. Chinese cabbage - Michihili, Jade, Pagota, China Pride

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