Cabbage is also known as Brassica oleracea var capitata is a member of the Cruciferae family and is a rich source of minerals, dietary fibre and vitamins such as B and C. Before the farmer prepares the soil, he/she must consider which variety of cabbage to produce. With the varieties, there are early maturing varieties (mature between 60 to 65 days) such as Blue Vantage and Supreme Vantage and the other variety, late-maturing variety (matures between 65 to 75 days) examples include; Emperor and Green Challenge. The farmer must choose the variety that is resistant to diseases.
Soil Preparation
Cabbage requires a lot of water to grow. The soil must be well tilled, drained and must have good water retention. It is best to use a garden fork to till the soil because it can help break up
the clumps in the soil. Create a bed for planting to make the soil more fertile. Prepare the soil by mixing one handful of aged-manure with 1 teaspoon of hydrated agricultural lime into each hole. Eight weeks before the planting, the land should be thoroughly cultivated and ploughed.
Cabbages thrive best with natural fertilizers or organic manure; it is, therefore, advisable for the farmer to use compost or natural fertilizer to prepare the perfect soil. Green manure, for instance, helps to get nitrogen from the atmosphere, increases soil nutrients, prevents erosion, stores and holds the organic matters and nutrients in the non-growth season. It is important to use these organic fertilizers for the following benefits which include but are not limited to; a preserved and fertile soil maximizes yield and also eradicates erosion of soil.
Planting
With planting, it can be done either on beds or in containers especially if it’s a home garden. The cabbage can also be intercropped with herbs and other vegetables. Cabbage can be planted by direct seeding or transplanting of seedlings. It is important to choose the best seeds; seeds that are healthy and not too old. Seedlings should be transplanted as soon as they get to the preferred size; hardened, young and stocky. Transplanting must be done on very moist soil and the soil around the roots must be firmed and irrigated as soon as the seedlings rare set.
Planting
Plant the seedlings in rows, 12 to 24 inches away from each other justifying it with the size of the head in mind since the closer the seedlings are to each other, the smaller the cabbage heads will be. It is important yet again to note these few things;
- Put each seedling into the holes created and make sure not to use the soil to cover the base of the first leaves.
- Firm press the soil around the roots of the seedlings with your hand to ensure that they have been firmly positioned. • The seedling must be protected from pests especially in its early stage, soil insecticide or soil fungicide can be used.
- Prevent weeds from growing in the area where the seedlings have been planted.
IRRGATION
After transplanting the next stage is irrigation. The seed at its early stage needs enough water to grow healthily. However, immediately the heads form the quantity of water must be reduced to avoid cracking. Irrigation is best within eight (8) days when the soil is light and 10-12 days in heavy soil. The aforementioned applies when the plants have no heads. The irrigation stage requires you to use clean water at the base of the plant to avoid soil splashing.
Fertilizer Application
Cabbage requires fertilizers such as organic manure, potassium, nitrogen and phosphate. The application is dependent on the stage of growth of the cabbage. 1-3 teaspoons of fertilizer are needed to nourish one plant. The fertilizers should be placed at least 5cm away from the plant. Immediately after transplanting, apply 1 teaspoon of a granular PK fertilizer with the ratio of 12:24:12 to each plant to boost the growth of the roots. In the second and fourth weeks, apply a granular NPK ” fertilizer with a ratio of 20:1010. In the third and fifth weeks, apply one teaspoon of
Calcium Nitrate. In the fifth and seventh, apply a granular PK fertilizer with firm. the ratio 12:12:17+2 (plus potassium) to make the heads firm.
WEED AND PEST CONTROL
Weed control can be done mechanically (by hand) and chemically (use of herbicides) until the plant is half-grown. There are several pest fights such as budworm and leaf miners.
Black-leg is a seed-borne that can greatly affect the growth and yield of the plant. It can infect the whole seedbed when an infected seed germinates leaving the plant wilted. An infected seed evinces white to light brown lesions with a purple to black girth black small dots in the centre of the leaves and on the stems.
This disease can be controlled with containerized seedlings, fungicide treatment, destruction of whole seedbeds and the materials thereof, removal of debris after harvesting and separation of seedbeds from old production fields.
Bacterial leaf spot is another disease associated with the production of cabbage and can be identified by, the affected areas developing from a brownish colour to purplish-grey necrotic spots. The leaves of the plant then become wrinkled resulting in the tear of the tissue when the lesions multiply.
To control it, crop rotation should be practised, cruciferous weeds should be controlled, infected plant materials should be deep-ploughed, chemical control should be used, increase the interval between irrigation, use disease-free seedlings and avoid using sprinkler irrigation.
Harvesting and Post-Harvesting
Cabbage is harvested when the heads fully mature, attain their full size, become hard and firm. With a cabbage ready for harvest, the head is seen to have a lighter shade of green. The crop can be harvested with a knife or a sickle when the cover leaves curl back and the white leaves under it are exposed and Whey cutting, the heads shouldn’t be bruised and if the crop is to be stored, most of the stem should be left on the head.
After harvest, the crop shouldn’t be exposed to high temperatures such as direct sunlight and should be transported immediately to avoid dehydration, overheating and wilting.
During rainy season, every person in agriculture is thinking of how the period will make new seedlings grow and old plants blossom. Like a friend in need, the rain comes down to offer the soil help akin to a parent catering for a big-size family. From the assuring coolness, it offers to calm the soil’s boiling core, to the strength, it gives to the roots planted in the soil, the rain ensures that the soil feels its unflinching support. The effort of the sky to support the soil becomes even more admirable when you consider the distance.
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