When to plant white cabbage for seedlings and how to do it

When to plant white cabbage for seedlings

The time for sowing depends on the timing of the ripening of a particular variety of cabbage, as well as on the climatic features of the region.

In the middle lane, early varieties are sown during March, mid-season - from late March to late April, late - during April. In the north, early varieties are planted in the first half of April, and mid-ripening and late - from mid-April to early May. In the south, white cabbage can be sown earlier. Early varieties - during February, and mid-season and late - from mid-February to mid-March.

How to choose white cabbage seeds

First of all, pay attention to the date of production of seeds: they should be no more than 3-4 years old, otherwise germination is unlikely to please.

Along with cabbage varieties, there are also hybrids, which are indicated by the F1 marking in the name. It is believed that they are more hardy to the vagaries of the weather, less susceptible to diseases and pest attacks.

Varieties and hybrids of cabbage differ in terms of ripening. Early harvest can be harvested after 60-80 days from the date of planting seedlings in the ground. True, such heads of cabbage are not stored for a long time, they must be eaten immediately after harvesting from the garden.

Mid-ripening cabbage ripens 85–120 days after the “moving” of sprouts to the site. It is more productive than early, and forms a dense head of cabbage. But the taste is no longer so tender. But mid-season varieties are great for processing - pickling, marinating and preparing canned salads.

Late cabbage has the highest yield and can be stored all winter. On average, about 130 days pass from the moment the seedlings are planted in the ground to the harvesting of ripe heads of cabbage. Such vegetables can not only be eaten fresh, but also used for pickling and preservation.

How to plant white cabbage for seedlings

Cabbage seeds germinate quite easily and amicably, so they do not require special preparation and soaking.

Prepare containers for seedlings

It is convenient to grow cabbage from seeds in seedling cassettes with many cells. Small pots or plastic cups are also suitable - 100-200 ml is enough. Make sure there are drainage holes at the bottom to drain excess liquid. They can be made with an awl or a soldering iron.

For sowing cabbage, universal soil is useful for growing vegetable seedlings. Choose a substrate with an acidity level between 6.5-7.0 pH. Fill the seedling containers with earth, not filling up to the edge of about 1.5–2 cm. Compact the surface with your fingers or a spoon.

sow cabbage

Place one cabbage seed in the center of each cup or cell.

Sprinkle the soil over the seeds with a layer of about 1 cm. Press lightly with the palm of your hand.

Pour the crops abundantly with room temperature water so that the soil in the seedling containers is properly moistened.

Cover the containers with a lid or transparent film to create a greenhouse effect. Put them in a warm place with a temperature of 20-22 degrees.

Wait for shoots

They will appear in about 8-10 days. Once the seeds have hatched, remove the covers from the cups and place them on a sunny windowsill. To prevent the cabbage from stretching, provide it with lighting for 12-13 hours a day. If daylight hours are not yet long enough, use phytolamps or ordinary fluorescent with a power of at least 36 W per 1 m².

After the emergence of seedlings, you need to place them in cooler conditions - this will also save the seedlings from stretching. Daytime temperature should be within 16-18 degrees, night - only 6-8 degrees.

How to care for cabbage seedlings

The plant is very unpretentious, so it does not require much of your attention.

Water the cabbage

Focus on the surface of the soil: as soon as it is slightly dry, moisten the seedlings with water at room temperature. At the same time, try to pour the liquid strictly under the root and not get on the leaves of the plant. Until the cabbage sprouts get stronger, use a syringe or douche so as not to damage the tender seedlings.

Feed the cabbage

When the cabbage seedlings release one or two true leaves, fertilize it with a nutritious cocktail. To do this, dissolve 1 g of ammonium nitrate, 2 g of superphosphate and 1 g of potassium chloride in 1 liter of water. Pour the mixture under the root, being careful not to get on the leaves. Top dressing is best done in the evening, and then turn off the fitolamps so that drops of the mixture do not burn the plants.

If cabbage grows slowly and develops poorly, such top dressing can be repeated 10 days after the first.

When to plant white cabbage in open ground

Cabbage is not afraid of the cold and is able to endure small frosts, so it is “relocated” to the beds quite early. Wait until the soil warms up to at least 5 degrees, and transplant the seedlings into open ground. In the south, suitable conditions develop already in April, in the regions of the middle zone - in late April - early May, in the north - in mid-May.

Pay attention to the appearance of the seedlings. In order for cabbage to take root well in outdoor conditions, it must have at least five true leaves. If the seedlings are underdeveloped, take your time and let them grow at home.