When is the best time to plant cabbage?

Cabbage is a popular vegetable, especially in the northern region, where it is grown in almost every household. It is not only fresh and delicious, but can also be processed into sauerkraut or salted vegetables, which are rich in nutritional value. Let’s learn below: When is the best time to plant cabbage?

1. Planting time

Cabbage is mainly planted in autumn. The sowing time varies according to the maturity period of different varieties: early-maturing varieties are sown in early to mid-August. Medium and late maturing varieties are sown in late August to early September. Late-maturing varieties are best sown in late August.

2. Soil preparation and fertilizer

Cabbage has strong adaptability to soil and can grow in a variety of environments, but it prefers sandy loam or loam that is rich in organic matter, loose and fertile. Avoid continuous cropping with cruciferous crops and implement reasonable crop rotation. One week before sowing, the land should be prepared and fertilized, the soil should be deep plowed and harrowed, then leveled to make ridges, and furrows should be dug for drainage and irrigation. Apply 5000-7000kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu, together with 50kg of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer , spread evenly and then till the soil to mix evenly.

3. Sowing and seedling raising

Choose high-quality seeds that are resistant to adversity, cold-resistant and disease-free. The sowing methods include row sowing, hole sowing and machine sowing, with a sowing rate of about 0.5 kg per mu. Adjust the spacing between rows and plants according to climate and soil conditions. When conditions are good, plant densely; otherwise, plant sparsely. After the seeds germinate, keep the soil moist to promote germination. When the seedlings grow 2-3 or 4-5 true leaves, thin out and replant, and remove weeds, diseased seedlings and weak seedlings.

4. Planting

When the seedlings grow 5-6 true leaves, they can be transplanted and planted. Choose a sunny afternoon for transplanting and avoid strong midday sunlight to increase the survival rate. Determine planting density based on variety and soil conditions. Water immediately after transplanting to keep the soil moist. Water once in the morning and evening for 3 consecutive days to help the seedlings grow.

5. Field management

Cabbage requires a large amount of fertilizer. In addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer, top dressing is also required at the right time. If the base fertilizer is insufficient, apply 10 kg of ammonium sulfate at the seedling stage and water immediately after fertilization. After transplanting, apply the second topdressing with 15-20kg of ammonium sulfate, dig trenches and apply, then water. The third top dressing is during the rosette stage, applying 30kg of ammonium sulfate and 15kg of superphosphate, combined with soil cultivation. The fourth top dressing is during the heading stage, applying 15-20kg of ammonium sulfate. Watering depends on climate and soil conditions. Control water appropriately at the end of the rosette stage and resume watering after the third topdressing. The soil needs to be kept moist during the heading period.

The above is an introduction to the planting time and key points of cabbage. When planting cabbage, you need to pay attention to all aspects so that the quality of the cabbage can be improved.