When is the best time to plant cabbage?

Chinese cabbage, as a member of the cruciferous family, is widely cultivated in my country. This vegetable prefers a cool climate, with an optimal growing temperature range of 15 to 22 degrees Celsius. Once the temperature exceeds 25 degrees Celsius, its growth may be hindered. In order to ensure that the cabbage can form a head smoothly and promote the healthy development of the leaves, sufficient sunlight is essential. At the same time, because Chinese cabbage has broad leaves and evaporates more water, it needs to maintain sufficient water supply during the growth process. However, it should be noted that Chinese cabbage is not suitable for growing in a waterlogged environment. So when is the best time to plant cabbage?

When is the best time to plant cabbage?

Judging from the growth characteristics of Chinese cabbage, it is very appropriate to plant it in the dog days of summer. The dog days usually begin on the first Geng day after the beginning of autumn and last for about ten days. This period generally falls in mid-August each year, when the temperature in most parts of the north has dropped to about 25 degrees Celsius. Such climatic conditions are extremely favorable for the growth of cabbage. However, this planting strategy is mainly applicable to North China, and requires separate considerations for southern regions. Due to the higher temperatures in the southern region, it is usually recommended to start sowing in September and choose early-maturing varieties to adapt to the local climate.

Except for August, cabbage is also suitable for sowing in spring and summer. Spring sowing is usually scheduled from March to April each year, while summer sowing is carried out from May to July. Such a sowing schedule helps to make full use of the climatic conditions in different seasons to promote the healthy growth of Chinese cabbage.

Chinese cabbage planting tips

1. Preparation for sowing

Before sowing, you need to carefully select seeds, till the soil and apply base fertilizer. For autumn sowing, it is advisable to choose varieties that are resistant to diseases and pests and are durable in storage and transportation. Choose early-maturing or mid-to-late-maturing varieties according to market demand. The soil should be plowed one week before sowing and base fertilizer should be applied. Generally, about 5,000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer and about 60 kg of triple compound fertilizer are applied per mu. After tilling and fertilizing, prepare ridges for sowing. The sowing method can be row sowing or hole sowing, with a seed rate of about 150 to 250 grams per mu. The planting density is determined according to the variety. There are about 3,500 straight-tube cabbages per mu, and about 2,500 hugging-type cabbages per mu.

2. Seedling Management

Cabbage seeds germinate quickly, and under good soil moisture conditions, seedlings will emerge in about three days. Thinning out the seedlings three times during the seedling stage to prevent them from growing too tall and affecting their later growth. The first thinning should be done 4 to 6 days after emergence, and weak and crowded seedlings should be removed. The second thinning is 5 days after the first. At this time, the seedlings already have 4 to 5 leaves. Keep an 8 cm spacing for row sowing and leave 2 to 3 plants in each hole for hole sowing. The third thinning is when the seedlings grow 6 to 8 true leaves, and the number of plants to be planted is determined based on field conditions.

3. Field Management

The key to field management of Chinese cabbage is water and fertilizer management. Chinese cabbage requires a lot of water in autumn, so it needs timely top dressing and watering. Chinese cabbage has a greater demand for nitrogen fertilizer, followed by potassium fertilizer. Nitrogen fertilizer is mainly absorbed during the rosette stage, while potassium fertilizer needs to be added during the heading stage. If the base fertilizer is sufficient, apply fertilizer twice after transplanting. The first time is during the rosette stage, about 10 kg of urea per mu, combined with watering; the second time is during the early stage of heading, about 20 kg of urea per mu, also combined with watering.

Watering should be adjusted according to the growth stage. Keep the soil moist in the early stage, control water appropriately during the rosette stage to promote heading, and increase the frequency of watering during the heading stage. Water thoroughly first, then water again after three days, and then once a week.

The above are the key steps and techniques for growing Chinese cabbage. I hope they will be helpful to growers. When planting, everyone should choose the appropriate time for sowing based on the actual local environment.