When is the best time to plant cabbage?

Cabbage is a leafy vegetable widely grown in rural areas. It has strong adaptability but prefers mild climatic conditions. Generally speaking, the suitable temperature range for growth is between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius. Extremely high or low temperatures may affect its normal growth. Let’s learn together when is the best time to plant cabbage?

When is the best time to plant cabbage?

Spring is a good time to plant cabbage, especially after the last frost has passed and the soil has started to warm up and the temperatures are moderate. This is usually between March and May in the Northern Hemisphere. Fall is also an ideal time to grow cabbage, especially after the high temperatures of summer and the weather starts to cool. Fall planting usually occurs between August and October so that the harvest can be harvested before the arrival of frost.

In cooler climates, cabbage can also be grown in the summer, especially in late spring to early summer to avoid high temperatures and strong sunlight. In warm southern regions, cabbage can be grown in greenhouses or protected areas during the winter to avoid the effects of cold weather.

Cabbage planting tips

1. Sowing and fertilizing

Autumn cabbage is sensitive to seasonality and water and fertilizer requirements. The sowing time has a direct impact on the growth quality of cabbage. The sowing time varies in different regions due to differences in climate and variety. It is around mid-July in the Northeast, early to mid-August in North China, and mid-August to September south of the Yangtze River Basin. Sowing too early or too late will affect yield and seed quality. Applying sufficient base fertilizer is crucial to the yield and firmness of cabbage. It is recommended to use home-fermented animal manure and mix it with fermented bean cake in appropriate amounts. Avoid using cow and horse manure, as it is a poor fertilizer and may attract underground pests.

2. Field management

Cultivating strong seedlings is the key to ensuring a good harvest of cabbage. Intertillage and weeding help prevent soil compaction and ensure smooth root breathing. Use root-promoting amino acid water-soluble fertilizer to irrigate the roots to promote root development and avoid weakness in the seedling stage. Apply nitrogen fertilizer and potassium fertilizer in time before the clustering stage, and choose appropriate fertilizer according to soil fertility and growth potential. When the soil fertility is good and the growth is vigorous, you can use fermented bean cake fertilizer or human feces and urine mixed with potassium fertilizer; when the soil fertility is poor or the growth is not vigorous, you can add an appropriate amount of quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer.

3. Pest control and growth promotion

The leaves of cabbage are the main part grown and eaten. In addition to root care, the leaves also need to be protected by foliar spraying to prevent yellowing, falling off, rotting, and diseases and insect pests. Starting from the seedling stage, spraying special amino acid foliar fertilizer and potassium dihydrogen phosphate for leafy vegetables once every 10 days can significantly increase the yield. Alternating the use of 0.3% vinegar solution and foliar fertilizer can not only promote growth, but also effectively prevent diseases and pests, and improve the flavor and storage resistance of cabbage.

In summary, the best time to plant cabbage depends on your geographical location, climatic conditions and the type of cabbage you want to plant. You can refer to it for reference.