![]() This year, the moment I got my cabbage seedlings (along with my broccoli and kale) planted in one of my raised beds in the spring, I immediately covered them in floating row cover. How to grow cabbage under row cover to protect plants from pests Female cabbage root flies lay their eggs (which turn into cabbage maggots) near the base of plants in the Brassica family, so the cardboard keeps them away. Cabbage root flies are a bit smaller than a housefly, with bristly hairs. A cardboard collar (this one is from a frozen pizza) can be used to keep cabbage root flies away. Jessica has written a thorough guide to eliminating cabbage worms. And those worms can make short work of your precious veggies. Those butterflies may be pretty, but they lay the cabbage worm eggs on brassicas. If you happen to see what looks like a small white butterfly hovering around your cabbages, it’s likely a cabbage moth. There are a few pests that can inflict damage upon your cabbage plants, like cabbage worms, flea beetles, cabbage root maggots, cabbage loopers, and cutworms. It can be so disheartening to head out into the garden, only to find that something has started to make a meal of a plant before you get to. You may want to add a light mulch of straw or shredded leaves around the planting area. Keep the area well weeded, so plants aren’t competing for nutrients with weeds. About three to four weeks after planting, side-dress each plant with an organic fertilizer. Cabbages are heavy feeders and love nitrogen to grow. Water plants well after planting and throughout the growing season. The plants may look small at this point, but you want them to have room to spread into that leafy mass throughout the season! Keep in mind the eventual size of your cabbages when planting seedlings. When you’re ready to dig them in, space your cabbage seedlings about 15 to 23 inches (38 to 60 cm) apart in rows that are 24 to 36 inches (60 to 90 cm) apart. Amend the soil with lots of compost a week or so before planting. Pick a sunny spot in the garden with well-draining, friable soil. However, you should still harden them off before planting in the ground. The seed packet will help you count backwards from your region’s frost-free date. Planting cabbage seedlings in the gardenīecause cabbage is a cool-season crop, you can plant cabbage in the ground sooner than your heat lovers, like tomatoes. Or plant seeds under lights to give them a head start for July planting. If you plan ahead for succession planting, you can direct-sow seed in the ground around mid to late summer for a fall crop. When your cabbage seedlings develop four true leaves, you can transplant them to larger pots. Once your seedlings have sprouted, thin the smallest ones to keep your largest plant. I start a lot of my plants under my grow lights. Cabbage needs a lot of bright sunlight to grow or plants will become leggy. After filling with your seed-starting mix, plant three or four seeds per cell about a quarter of an inch (1/2 cm) deep. ![]() ![]() You’ll be planting seeds about 50 to 60 days before your region’s last frost date. Be sure to read the seed packet carefully to determine days to maturity. It’s possible to find cabbage seedlings at garden centres in the early spring, but you can also start them yourself from seed. There are other types of cabbages to grow, too, like bok choy ( Brassica rapa chinensis) and Napa cabbage ( Brassica rapa Pekinensis). Cole crops is another broad term that envelops the cultivated varieties of the Brassica family, which also include Brussels sprouts, kale, kohlrabi, collard greens, broccoli, and cauliflower. The green heads, like Savoy cabbage, as well as the purple-leaved varieties of red cabbage at the grocery store and farmers’ markets are members of the Brassica oleracea family. There are dozens of cabbage varieties to choose from, and both chefs and home cooks probably all have their own particular favourites that they use in various hot and cold dishes. Learning how to grow cabbage is pretty easy, and it’s very satisfying when you can pick your own to make healthy and hearty meals, like cabbage rolls, stir fries, Cole slaw and other salads, kimchi, and sauerkraut. I’ve also seen spectacular cabbages entered into competitions. But this healthy veggie that is high in vitamin C and fibre, has a dependable spot in my fall recipe repertoire. And the ornamental varieties are stunning in the fall garden. Cabbage isn’t the most exciting or glamorous vegetable (though as a kid, they were pretty cool because a cabbage patch produced adorable dolls). ![]()
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