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Cabbages fall into the following categories; Spring, Summer, Savoy, and Chinese.
They each require similar conditions, although spring varieties prefer lighter well drained soil.
Prepare the beds in advance of planting by digging in liberal amounts of well rotted farmyard manure or compost.
** Do not apply lime to newly applied farmyard manure in case they chemically react to the detriment of the plants.
Spring Cabbage;
Week 5; Cover plants from birds by covering them with netting, or proprietary humming lines.
Week 12; Remove discoloured foliage and hoe around the plants.
Boost growth by hoeing in either sulphate of ammonia or nitro-chalk at a rate of 1oz (30g) per sq m.
Alternatively; use 3oz (90g) per sq m of growmore or similar
Some cabbages may be large enough for use in the kitchen, remove alternate or best developed plants to allow the smaller plants room to expand.
Week 26; Sow Seed in pots / trays of seed compost and germinate at a temperature of 13C (55F)
Germination should be within seven days.
Week 28; Prick out seedlings into 75mm (3") pots of potting compost.
Week 30; Prepare the bed by hoeing or forking over sites that have recently been cleared of potatoes or early onions.
No fertiliser is necessary at this stage.
Week 31; Apply a top dressing of Lime** at a rate of 100gms (4oz) per square metre (Less if the soil is already quite limy)
Transplant seedlings into their cropping position, spacing them 200mm (8”) apart in rows set 300mm (12”) apart.
n.b. Complete planting by mid October ( Week 42 ).
** Do not apply lime to newly applied farmyard manure in case they chemically react with each other, to the detriment of the plants.
Summer Cabbage;
Week 14; Sow Seed in pots / trays of seed compost and germinate at a temperature of 13C (55F)
Germination should take up to one week.
Week 15; Prepare beds ready for planting out.
Week 16; Prick out seedlings into 75mm (3") pots of potting compost.
Place plants in cold frame a couple of days after pricking out.
Week 21; Plant out 500mm (18”) apart in rows 600mm (24”) apart.
Fitting proprietary discs at this stage will deter root fly
Close-mesh plastic set over the crop will deter pigeons, rabbits and egg-laying cabbage white butterflies.
Canes topped with plastic drinking cups or pots make excellent supports.
Week 25; Spray with a suitable insecticide to deter cabbage root fly
Hoe along the rows and water in dry weather.
If water supply is limited, apply one heavy soaking about 10-20 days before full maturity.
Week 28; Top dress beds with a balanced fertiliser.
Autumn Cabbage & Savoys;
Week 18; Sow Seed in pots / trays of seed compost and germinate at a temperature of 13C (55F)
Germination should take around four to five days.
Week 19; Prick out seedlings into 75mm (3") pots of potting compost.
Place plants in cold frame a couple of days after pricking out.
Week 24; Plant out 500mm (18”) apart in rows 600mm (24”) apart.
Week 31; Spray with a suitable insecticide to deter cabbage root fly.
Chinese Cabbage;
A quick growing cabbage, similar to a cos lettuce.
Week 22-25; Sow the seeds where the plants are to mature;
n.b. Chinese cabbages should never be transplanted.
Sow in rows 150mm (6”) apart and thin the seedlings to 300mm (12”) apart.
Germination should take up to a week.
Keep the plants well watered during dry spells.
They are ready for cutting in late summer and early autumn.
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