Green Cabbage
Stonehead, GoldAcre, Ballhead, Roundup, KingCole, Market Prize, Tastie
Savoy Cabbage
Chieftain, Savoy King
Red Cabbage
Red Head, Red Danish, Ruby Ball
Chinese Cabbage
Blues, China Express, Nerva, Spring A-1
Getting the Soil Ready
Cabbage grows best when the soil is moist and fertile. To make soil fertile, use 3 to 4 cupps of 16-16-16 fertilizer for an area 10 feet wide. Spread the fertilizer so its evene throughout the soil. Plow or spade the soil 6 to 8 inches deep. Break the clods and rake the soil to smooth the surface.
Planting
Cabbage grows even when ther still is frost, so you can set your plants or seed in the garden in early April. You may purchase plants at a garden store or you may frow your own.
If you start your own plants fron seed, plants the seeds about 1/2 inch deep and about 1 inch apart in the row. When the palnts are about 3-5 inches tall, you will want to plant them in another part or the garden where there is more space.
To transplant young cabbage plants, follow these directions:
- Dig holes that are 1 to 2 feet apart and about 2 inches deep.
- Carfully take the plants from the soil. Leave as much soil around the roots as possible.
- Put the plants in the hole and quickly fill in the hole with soil. Pack the soil around the roots firmly, but not tightly.
- Water the plants at once with starter solution.
- To prevent your cabbage plants from drying out, transplant them in the evening or on a cloudy day
Hoe the soil just under the surface. Cabbage roots are very close to the surface and can be injured easily. Don't hoe under the cabbage leaves.
Insect pests
Cabbage has many pests. You can avoid most of these pests if you plant early in the spring. Work diazinon into the soild for root maggot control. If you see the the cabbage leaves are eaten of damaged by worms, you may want to use one or more of the insecticides available in garden supply store. Be sure the insecticide is labeled for cabbage, and follow the directions on the label. You also can use tow covers over transplants to exlcude troublesome insects. You can leave the row covers on until harvest or until daytime air temperatures exceed 80 degrees.
Harvesting
Cabbage is ready to pick when the heads seel solid. If you will have many heads ready at the same time, start using the heads early. After you cut the heads, try letting one or two suckers grow from each stump. These will form miniature heads a few weeks later.
Cleanup
You also can pull out and discard cabbage plants as soon as discard cabbage plants as soon as the harvest is over. Early cabbage might be followed by a late summer frop of lettuce, spinach, or radishes.
Serving
Raw cabbage is a good source of vitamin C and other vitamins. Some vitamins may be lost in cooking. Cabbage is good served raw in slaw and salads. You may cook cabbage in a small amount of boiling water until just tender. You also can make it into sauerkraut. The outer leaves of cabbage are high in nutrients, so dont throw them out unless they are wilted or tough.
Storing
To keep cabbage crisp and fresh, store it moist in a plastic bag or in a covered container in the refrigerator. It will keep 1 to 2 weeks. Cabbage is best fresh, but it can be kept for several months if kept in a cool, mosit place like a cellar or basement.
