When should cabbage be planted?

Chinese cabbage is a common vegetable on the table in winter, especially in the northern region. It is a must-have in almost every family's winter vegetable reserves. With the arrival of September, some areas in my country with lower temperatures have already started planting cabbage to ensure that they can enjoy this fresh and nutritious vegetable in winter. Let’s learn in detail about when to plant cabbage.

When should cabbage be planted?

The planting time of autumn cabbage varies from region to region, and local agricultural proverbs also reflect this. For example, the agricultural proverb in Northeast China is "Plant radishes in the first ten days, and vegetables in the second ten days", while the agricultural proverb in North China is "Plant cabbages in the beginning of autumn". This means that the planting time in the northern region starts from late July and lasts to mid-August; in the Yangtze River Basin, it is mid-to-late August; in Zhejiang Province, it can be delayed to early September; and in southern China, such as Guangdong, Guangxi, and Yunnan, it is suitable for planting from September to November. Except for South China, which has a longer sowing period, the sowing time in other regions, especially in the north, is very concentrated, which may be only within a few days. Missing the best period may affect the growth and heart formation of cabbage.

The best time to plant Chinese cabbage in Northeast China is usually from July 20 to 28, and in North China it is within three days before or after the beginning of autumn. Areas south of the Yangtze River need to determine the sowing time based on local specific climatic conditions. Even within the same province, the sowing time may be earlier or later. Therefore, growers should choose the sowing time according to local planting habits and experience. If the best sowing time is missed, the cabbage may find it difficult to form a firm core, especially in northern regions. The early or late sowing time directly affects the quality and firmness of the core.

Before planting Chinese cabbage, you need to do the following preparations:

Seed selection: Selecting seeds appropriate to local climatic conditions is critical, as the adaptability and yield potential of different varieties vary greatly.

Tillage and fertilization: The soil should be tilled before planting to loosen the soil, remove pathogens and insect eggs, and promote root development. Fertilization can be done by broadcasting before tilling the soil or by applying fertilizer in furrows during planting. The specific method depends on the amount of organic fertilizer .

Sowing: After completing the above preparations, you can start sowing. Chinese cabbage is suitable for ridge planting, and the row spacing and plant spacing should be adjusted according to the variety. After sowing, cover with about 1 cm thick soil. In arid areas, water thoroughly before sowing. To prevent the soil from drying out, a layer of weeds or other materials can be covered after sowing, and the covering material can be removed after the seedlings emerge.

In summary, growers should pay close attention to various conditions during the planting process and flexibly adjust management measures according to actual conditions to ensure the healthy growth and good yield of Chinese cabbage.