cabbage production guide. All you need to know!
- Climatic and Soil Requirements:
- Cabbages thrive in a cool and moist climate.
- Ideal soil is sandy loam with a pH range of 6.0-6.8.
- Temperature usually ranges from 15°C to 20°C, but this may vary based on the cabbage variety used.
- Land Preparation:
- Plow and harrow the field 2-3 times at one-week intervals.
- Create furrows at a distance of 30-50 cm to form ridges and raise beds about 100 cm wide.
- Seedling Establishment and Transplanting:
- Grow seedlings in seedbeds or seed boxes exposed to sunlight and accessible to water.
- Fill seed boxes with a mixture of:
- 2 parts garden soil
- 2 parts well-decomposed manure
- 1 part sand
- 1 part compost
- 2 parts rice hull ash
- Sow about 10 seeds per cm.
- Prick sturdy and disease-free seedlings one week after emergence.
- Harden seedlings before transplanting.
- Transplant one-month-old seedlings on ridges at a distance of 50 cm between rows and 40 cm between hills.
- Irrigation and Fertilization:
- Water the plants immediately after transplanting.
- Furrow irrigation is advisable for large-scale production.
- Adjust irrigation frequency based on soil condition and rain.
- Minimize watering when the plants start developing heads to prevent rotting and cracking.
- Apply complete fertilizer (14-14-14) as recommended.
- Pest and Disease Management:
- Common pests include the Diamond-back Moth, Common Cutworm, and Aphids.
- Diseases like Damping Off, Head Rot, and Anthracnose can affect yield and quality.
- Measures to prevent pest attacks:
- Remove/crack insect pests’ egg masses.
- Practice crop rotation.
- Intercrop with non-host plants.
- Plant early.
- Apply proper fertilization.
- Remove diseased plants.
- Maintain field sanitation.
- Use pesticides as a last resort.
- Harvesting:
- Harvest when the cabbage heads are firm and compact, usually around 50-55 days after transplanting.
- Cut the head with 2-3 non-wrapper leaves for protection during handling.
