When and how to plant red cabbage

Red cabbage, as a vegetable with rich nutrition and crisp taste, is deeply loved by consumers. It not only adds a touch of bright color to the dining table, but is also an indispensable seasonal delicacy on the winter table. Mastering the planting time and method of red cabbage is crucial to increasing yield and ensuring quality. Let’s talk about the planting time and method of red cabbage.

1. Planting time

Red cabbage is a semi-cold-resistant vegetable crop that prefers cool climatic conditions. The suitable sowing time varies from region to region. Generally speaking, the planting time of red cabbage can be divided into spring and autumn:

Spring planting: from March to April after the temperature warms up and the soil thaws. Sowing at this time is conducive to rapid germination of seeds, with a moderate growth cycle, so that they can be harvested before the high temperatures of summer arrive.

Autumn planting: In the Yangtze River Basin and areas to its south, early autumn sowing is the main method, generally from mid-to-late August to early September. At this time, the temperature gradually drops, which is conducive to the growth of red cabbage seedlings. In the southern Huanghuai area, you can choose to overwinter sowing, generally from late September to early October, using the warm weather before winter to promote the growth of seedlings, and then wait for the spring warmth to warm up next year to quickly sprout and grow.

2. Planting Method

1. Soil selection

Red cabbage moss likes fertile, loose and well-drained soil. Before planting, the soil should be deeply plowed and well-rotted organic fertilizer should be applied as base fertilizer to increase soil fertility and improve soil structure. For acidic soil, an appropriate amount of lime can be added for neutralization to keep the soil pH between 6.5-7.5, which is conducive to the growth of red cabbage moss.

2. Seed treatment

Selecting high-quality, disease-resistant red cabbage seeds is the key to increasing yield. Before sowing, the seeds can be dried, soaked and germinated. Sun-drying seeds can kill the bacteria on the surface of the seeds and increase the germination rate; soaking seeds can be done by soaking them in warm water (about 50°C) for half an hour to promote the seeds to absorb water and expand; germination can be accelerated by placing the soaked seeds in a warm and humid environment, and they can be sown after the seeds turn white.

3. Sowing method

Red cabbage can be planted by direct seeding or seedling transplanting. Direct seeding is suitable for plots with good soil conditions and easy management. Directly dig furrows or sow in holes according to row spacing, then cover with soil and water. Seedling transplanting is suitable for sowing in early spring or late autumn. Seedlings are first raised in the seedbed and then transplanted to the field when the seedlings grow to a certain size. Regardless of which method is used, attention should be paid to the sowing density to avoid overcrowding which will lead to fierce competition among plants and affect growth.

4. Watering and fertilizing

The soil needs to be kept moist during the growth period of red cabbage moss, but waterlogging should be avoided. Water appropriately according to the growth of the plants and weather changes. At the same time, apply fertilizer in time to meet the plant's nutrient needs. In the early stage, nitrogen fertilizer is mainly used to promote leaf growth; in the middle and late stages, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are added to promote sprouting and improve quality.

5. Intertillage and weeding

Intertillage and weeding during the growing period can not only loosen the soil and promote root development, but also reduce the competition between weeds and red cabbage for nutrients and water.

6. Pest and disease control

Adhere to the principle of prevention first and comprehensive prevention and treatment. A combination of agricultural control, physical control, biological control and chemical control is used to effectively control the occurrence of diseases and pests.

7. Harvest

When the red cabbage moss grows to a certain length and opens a small number of flowers, it can be harvested. When harvesting, pinch off the fruits by hand or cut them with a knife to avoid damaging the plants. After harvesting, it should be put on the market or refrigerated in time to ensure quality. If you need to save seeds, you should choose plants that are healthy and free of diseases and pests, and dry them for storage after the seeds are mature.

In short, although the cultivation of red cabbage seems simple, in order to obtain high-yield and high-quality products, it is necessary to master scientific planting techniques and methods.