![]() Just be sure to cut them when they are solid (firm to the touch) but before they split or crack. Cabbage can be harvested anytime after the heads form.To avoid cutworm damage, place a tuna fish or cat food can (with top and bottom removed) around the young plant, buried halfway into the soil. ![]() Fertilize when first planting out and then every 4 weeks. (Exact spacing depends on the mature size of the plant.) Site your cabbages in full sun in a rich, fertile, moist, well-drained soil, and feed them with 5-10-5 (or higher) fertilizer or nitrate of soda. Plant out as soon as the soil can be worked in spring, setting the plants at least 8 inches apart, in rows spaced 24 to 36 inches apart. Naturally, if a cold spell hits, bring them indoors again to wait for the temperature to rise. The next day, give them a longer visit outside until they remain outdoors overnight, still in their pots. Do this by setting them outdoors in a lightly shaded area for an hour or two. Once the seedlings have two sets of true leaves, you'll need to start the “hardening off” process. Harvest is usually within 50 to 90 days from sowing, depending on the variety. Once your seedlings have reached several inches and have at least two sets of true leaves, pull up all but the strongest one in each group. ![]() Water well and make sure the topsoil stays moist, especially if planting during the drier midsummer. To conserve seeds, group 3 or 4 together at the desired plant spacing instead of the traditional method of sowing in continuous rows. If you want a fall crop, sow seeds in midsummer. In cool-weather climates, other cabbages can be started outdoors as well, up to four weeks before the last frost date. You will want to keep the seedlings just a few inches below the light so they don't “stretch” and get “leggy." If you don't have fluorescent lighting, a south-facing window will do just fine.Ĭhinese cabbage and kale do well direct sown into the garden. Make sure the plants receive plenty of lightfluorescent light for around 14 to 16 hours a day is also ideal for the fastest growth. Once the seeds have sprouted, be sure to keep the soil lightly moist, and feed them with a liquid fertilizer at half strength every two weeks. Sow your cabbage seeds at a depth of 4 times the size of the seed, or ½ inch deep, in a sterile starting mix and water thoroughly. In Zone 8 and warmer, if you want a winter crop of cabbage, sow outside in early fall.Įxpect germination in 10 to 14 days. If you want a fall crop, sow outdoors in midsummer. When to Start Cabbage & Kale SeedsĬabbage seeds are best started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost, at a temperature of 70 to 75☏. Red kale also contains anthocyanins, an antioxidant. As far as choosing a kale, green ones tend to be sweeter while red varieties are somewhat more appealing to the eye. Savoy and conical types are more tender and therefore good for slaws and salads, while Chinese cabbage is heat tolerant and quite versatileit's delicious cooked or raw. Large-headed late cabbages usually store well and are good for cooking, proving especially appropriate for turning into sauerkraut. Amend with compost if soil is not fertile. Provide adequate, even moisture for the optimum growth. Mulching helps retain moisture.When you're deciding what variety of cabbage or kale to plant in your garden, your decision will be mainly based on your taste and storage needs. Golden Acre Cabbage needs to grow in fertile soil, rich in organic matter. Later maturing storage varieties will hold longer. Harvest as soon as possible for early varieties to prevent splitting. Harvest : If the heads feel solid by pushing on them lightly they are ready to harvest. How much does a packet plant: 15-20 foot single row Germination is slower at lower soil temperatures. ![]() Thin to the strongest seedling per space. Sow 2-3 seeds every 15-18” apart for small headed varieties, 24-36” for large headed varieties. Sowing Outdoors: In spring when soil temperature reaches at least 60✯. Sow in late spring to transplant out for fall crops. Transplant a week or two before last frost. Fertilize the seedlings every 7-10 days with a liquid or water soluble fertilizer, diluted to ¼ of suggested measurement. Starting Indoors: 4-6 weeks before last frost or 4-6. Sow 2-3 seeds per cell/pot. Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 65-85✯. Short stemmed with few outer leaves, the flavor of Golden Acre Cabbage is excellent. Heads are ball shaped and can grow close to 5 pounds so size isn’t sacrificed for earliness. The Golden Acre Cabbage is a very early round headed cabbage often used for pack sales and for forcing.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |