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How to Grow Cabbage !
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How to Grow Cabbage
Cabbages
are extremely hardy members of the brassica
family, which thrive in cold damp winters and are capable of
withstanding temperatures which would destroy many other crops.
The
somewhat unglamorous reputation gained by cabbage has
changed over the last few years, newer varieties have been introduced
which are milder tasting than the old much stronger flavored types.
These varieties have also been bred to be more disease
resistant.
Because the cabbage is suitable to most temperate climates and soils
and require minimal attention, they are one of the easiest crops to
grow.
Growing
Cabbage---Soil and
site for Cabbage.
The ideal site
for cabbages is any
well drained ground, but they prefer a medium to light soil which will
retain a
reasonable amount of water. Prepare the ground with mulch, several
months
before sowing.
If the ground has not been mulched, apply a general
fertilizer
before sowing. I am in favor of sowing from mid spring until
early summer for a longer period of harvesting in the colder climates.
In the warmer areas of the south like Arizona, I start my cabbages in Mid September and start harvesting them in Jan and Feb.
Cabbages
grown outdoors should be transplanted when four or five cabbage type
leaves have appeared.
Care of
Cabbage
Cabbages
sown in spring do not
require a great deal of care, but do not allow them to dry out as this
will impair their growth. Water liberally during
hot and dry weather. Hoe around the plants during the growing period to
control the weeds and aerate the soil which will also
deter insect pests from laying their eggs.
A layer of
garden compost around (but not touching) the plants will conserve
water, prevent weeds and deter those pesky
insects!
Cabbages are greedy feeders and require
plenty of fertilizer during the growing period. Spraying with Miracle
Grow every 2 weeks will greatly enhance
their growth. As the plants
mature, some of the leaves may turn yellow. Break off these discoloured
leaves as soon as they appear.
.
Harvesting
and Storing Cabbage
Cabbages
are
ready for harvesting when the hearts are firm. Lift the entire plant
with a
fork and cut the roots off at a later stage, or, cut the stem just
above the
base of the lower leaves, and discard the outer leaves which are too
coarse for
eating.
Mature cabbages with a good firm heart, and in good condition,
can be
stored in a cool, airy frost proof shed for several weeks.
Place
the cabbages on a rack made of wood or chicken wire, do not
stack them
on the ground. Once the cabbages have been cut and stored, the crop has
now
finished and the ground can be cleared.
In warmer areas like Arizona, I store mine in the Crisper tray of the frig or Can them.
How
to eat them.
Cabbages
are rich in Vitamins and
Minerals for your diet. You can Boil them using a little Milk, Butter
or Margarine, a little Salt and Pepper and
MMMMMMMMM is
that good. You can also steam it and eat them like that.
I wonder how you like to prepare your cabbage?
Cabbage can be canned. Check the Internet for instructions or a lot of
people make good old Sour Kraut which is also easy to make and can.
Again see the Internet for instructions.
You can also make a shredded Cabbage which will last for several days
in the Frig. You can add Green Cabbage, Purple cabbage, Shredded
carrots with a little Miracle whip and Cream, and a little sugar or
sweetner along with a little salt and pepper.
A tip for using your cabbage from your Frig and making it last longer
if you are not using it all up at once. Instead of cutting it from the
side down through the cabbage, removes the outside leaves only and cut
them up for what ever you are making.
Store the rest in the Frig
for the next time you want to eat more of it. It will last much longer
than cutting through the heart.
Pests
and
Diseases
of Cabbage
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Stunted growth especially
if infected as seedlings. Discoloured leaves which
wilt. Roots are black and rotten.
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The
first signs of infection are wilting.
blueish leaves and a dying plant.
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Holes in
the leaves
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Gardening
Roland
in Phoenix
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