How to plant:
Propagate by
seed
Germination temperature: 50 F to 80 F
Days to emergence: 4 to 7
Seed can be saved 4 years.
Maintenance and care:
Spring crops may bolt prematurely if young plants are exposed to frost
or a week of nighttime temperatures below 50 F. Wait until after last
frost date to direct seed or transplant out.Start
transplants inside 4 to 6 weeks before last frost date. Transplant 12
to 18 inches apart in rows 18 to 30 inches apart. Closer spacings
produce smaller, more flavorful heads.
From late spring to midsummer, direct-seed ¼ to ½ inch deep in rows 18 to 30 inches apart. Thin to 12- to 18- inch spacings.
Pests:
Cabbage aphids - A hard stream of water can be used to remove aphids
from plants. Wash off with water occasionally as needed early in the
day. Check for evidence of natural enemies such as gray-brown or
bloated parasitized aphids and the presence of alligator-like larvae of
lady beetles and lacewings.Cabbage
root maggot - White maggot larvae tunnel in and feed on roots of
plants. Damage causes wilting early on, death of plants later on.
Cabbageworms
- Handpick and destroy. Row covers may be useful on small plantings to
help protect plants from early damage. Put in place at planting and
remove before temperatures get too hot in midsummer.
Flea
Beetles - Use row covers to help protect plants from early damage. Put
in place at planting and remove before temperatures get too hot in
midsummer. Control weeds.
Cutworms - Control weeds. Cardboard collars around each plant give good protection.
Other pests:
Cabbage loopers
Slugs
Nematodes
Diseases:
Clubroot - Locate new plants in part of garden different from previous
year's location. If soil infested, add lime to raise soil pH to 7.2Purple
blotch (Alternaria porri ) - Avoid wetting foliage if possible. Water
early in the day so aboveground plant parts dry as quickly as possible.
Avoid crowding plants, allowing air circulation. Eliminate weeds around
plants and garden area to increase air circulation. Practice plant
sanitation. When plants are not wet, remove and destroy affected plant
parts. In autumn rake and destroy all fallen or diseased
leaves and fruit.
Other diseases:
Cabbage yellows
Black rot
Black leg
