Instructions for growing cabbage outdoors

Many people believe that caring for cabbage is needed only at the initial stage of cultivation, and then it develops on its own. Probably, such rumors are spread by those who have never grown this plant themselves, because a slight change in the conditions for growing cabbage in the open field can lead to loss of yield. Even with all the advantages of cabbage as a plant, there are enough factors that can negatively affect its development. In this article we will tell you about the features of growing cabbage in the open field, we will share useful tips that can be useful in gardening.

Open ground varieties

The first step is to understand that there are different types of cabbage: white cabbage, red cabbage, Brussels sprouts, Peking cabbage, cauliflower. In our area, mainly white cabbage is grown in the open field, less often red cabbage.

The most popular varieties: Gribovsky 147, No. 1 polar K-206 (early ripening varieties), Transfer, F Sprint, F Rinda, Zolotoy hectare, Stakhanovka (mid-ripening and mid-late varieties) Galaxy, Kolobok, Gayd (late varieties). These varieties can also be grown in greenhouses, but they are better than others for growing outdoors.

The main rules for growing outdoors

As already noted, growing cabbage outdoors is not as easy as it seems. Even if you surround her with the same care as the seedlings in the greenhouse, there are still more dangers waiting for her here, from which she should be protected. There is a high probability of occurrence of various diseases, pests. You also need to monitor the moisture content of the soil, because deviations from the norm in any direction can lead to unpleasant consequences. Much depends on the site itself.

Firstly, it should not be shaded, since cabbage is a photophilous culture. Secondly, you need to take into account the crops that grew earlier: it is undesirable to plant cabbage after radishes, turnips, tomatoes, beets. This is due primarily to the nutrients that these crops "suck" from the soil, and also after them "taken root" diseases may remain on the site, which also pose a threat to cabbage. It is better to choose plots for cabbage where potatoes, cucumbers, cereals, and legumes were previously grown.

It is important to remember that acidic soil is not suitable for growing cabbage outdoors, in this case, be sure to liming.

Sowing and Seed Care

If you decide to grow cabbage from seeds, then your first actions should depend on which seeds you decide to use: purchased in a store or obtained by your own labor. Before sowing your own seeds, they must be prepared: first, keep them for a while, no more than 20 minutes, in hot water (the water temperature should be about 50 ° C), immediately after that send them into cold water for a couple of minutes, and finally dry completely ...

This does not need to be done with purchased seeds, since almost all producers carry out pretreatment of seeds. A similar procedure is performed immediately before sowing: the seed is soaked and kept for 24 hours at a cold temperature - this hardening contributes to the early germination and resistance of the seeds. In the future, such seedlings will be able to withstand frosts of 5-7 ° C in the open field, while unhardened ones will not withstand more than two or three.

For growing seedlings from seeds, exclusively loose soil is used, as a rule, with a large admixture of peat. There is a method with a dive, when the seedlings are moved into individual containers, there is no dive. But regardless of this, there are general rules for the care of seedlings. Cabbage needs moderate watering: with a shortage, it begins to dry out, grow weak, and if you pour it, oxygen will cease to flow to the roots, rotting will begin, other diseases are possible.

It is necessary to observe both the light and temperature conditions. Low light or high temperature entails pulling out the seedlings, the same result will be the case with dense sowing. It is also recommended to often ventilate the room with seedlings.

It is important to remember that the first 2 weeks the cabbage will grow slowly, and the first pair of leaves will appear in about 20-25 days.

Landing in the ground

It is worth planting only strong seedlings, which have already acquired a dark green color, have 4-5 leaves. They mark the place for planting as follows: the distance between the plants should be about half a meter, that is, the holes are knocked out after 50-60 cm each, and the rows should be separated by a distance of about 70-80 cm.

In addition to watering the holes before planting, you also need to add fertilizers there - compost, wood ash mixed with the ground is also added, and then watered again. It is important to ensure that the growth point does not become covered.

Care

After you have planted the seedlings and they have taken root, you can breathe a little - half the battle is done, but in no case should you stop caring for the plants. You need to continue to water the plants 2-3 times a week, later you can already switch to abundant watering once a week. Experienced gardeners recommend sprinkling, so the air is also saturated with moisture. At least once every two weeks, it is advisable to loosen the ground near the plant.

Try to deal with pests as efficiently as possible (today there are enough chemicals designed to combat certain diseases, insects, you can also resort to folk methods).

Several times you need to do top dressing. The first is about two weeks after planting in a new place - usually phosphate fertilizer, manure, chicken droppings are applied. The second feeding should take place after another 2 weeks, the same components are introduced, potash mixtures can be finished off, further subcortexes are made if necessary.

Given the cold resistance of cabbage, it can be safely cut off after frost, early ripening varieties, of course, earlier. Here you need to choose the right time, because if you harvest the crop earlier, the vegetables may start to fade, if you miss the moment, cracks in the heads of cabbage are inevitable.

Video "Tips for caring for planted cabbage"

A video that is designed to teach novice gardeners to avoid annoying mistakes in the process of growing cabbage in their summer cottage.