India is a major producer of cabbage, which is prized for its flavorful greens. Although cabbage is a fantastic source of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, dietary fibre, vitamin C, vitamin k, vitamin b6, and manganese, it is typically eaten for its peppery flavour.
What a marvel it would be to be able to cultivate cabbage at home. You could certainly produce cabbage in the comfort of your own home after reading this essay. We have discussed every aspect of growing cabbage at home in India in this article. We’ve simplified the process for you to cultivate your own cabbage patch at home, from the soil requirements to the harvesting methods.
When to plant cabbage
Mid-February to Mid-April; August to October: Sowing Season
Sandy to heavy soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5, rich in organic materials.
3.3 to 6.6 feet in height
10″ to 14″ wide
Temperature range for germination: 15 to 21 °C
Four to five months following planting is the flowering season.
Full sun; 6 to 8 hours per day of exposure to the sun.
Water – Ensure that the soil is moist yet well-drained; regular watering intervals.
Companion plants include marigolds, onions, beetroot, celery, hyssop, thyme, rosemary, dill, peppermint, spearmint, and sage.
Prepare the soil
Growing cabbage is a pretty simple process that doesn’t call for any planning. However, there are a few items you should cross off your list before you sow the seeds. Sand, clay, and other types of soils can all be used to grow cabbage. To produce a high crop, however, make sure that the pH level of the soil is kept between 6.5 and 7. Your cabbage plants only require nutrient-rich, well-drained soil to thrive.
It’s important to give your plants enough room to spread out when it comes to all crops, not just cabbage. By paying attention to the information below, you can make sure that your plants have adequate room to grow:
- Row to Row Distance: Early Maturity: 45 cm, and Maturity: 60 cm (Late Maturity)
- Plant to Plant Distance: Early Maturity: 30 cm; Late Maturity: 45 cm (Late Maturity)
Growing Cabbage at Home
Let’s examine how to cultivate cabbage at home in India.
- By combining potting soil and compost in a 2:3 ratio, you may prepare the ground for planting.
- Spread the seeds evenly over the grow bed and then very lightly cover it with soil.
- Watering cabbage frequently is necessary. Using a watering can or a sprinkler system would be the best way to water your cabbage plants. Especially when the plants are absorbing sunshine, make sure the soil is kept moist.
- You can also decide to chose to cover your cabbage plants with a mulching sheet or platen cover if pests are an issue in your garden. This will aid in preserving the soil’s moisture levels, which will speed up germination.
- Incomplete or total shade is bad for cabbage. Make careful to maintain them in the sunlight for 6 to 8 hours every day if you are starting the growth process indoors.
- Continue watering as usual and unwind. It will take 7 to 15 days for newly planted seeds to germinate. For ideal germination, make sure the soil temperature is kept at 20°C.
- Transplanting is necessary for cabbage to grow properly. Plan for the transplant after 4 to 6 weeks have passed from germination. Make sure the seedlings have grown to a height of 3 to 4 inches and have at least 3 to 4 sets of leaves before transplanting your cabbage.
Cabbage transplanting is a simple process. The seedlings only need to be delicately removed from one grow bed and planted into another.
Still baffled? To transplant your cabbage plants, simply follow these instructions.
Gardeners like you might occasionally desire to start growing their cabbage plants at the end of the winter season. This is known as “hardening off.” Starting your cabbage patch inside in containers or seed trays is the ideal way to carry out this strategy. But once the weather becomes warmer, you’ll need to move your plants outside so they have a fair chance to develop from seed to maturity. Moving your cabbage plants outside to gradually acclimate them to the direct sunlight, dry air, and chilly nights is known as “hardening off.” You can begin by exposing them to sunshine for a short period of time—perhaps two to three hours—and then gradually extend it to the recommended six to eight hours per day.
Make sure the container you intend to use for the transplant can hold at least 4 to 5 gallons of soil if you are transferring the plants from one container to another. Additionally, it must to have two to three holes at the bottom to allow for water drainage.
For each seedling, prepare a 2 inch-diameter hole, place the seeds carefully into the hole without damaging the plant’s developing, delicate roots, and then softly cover the seeds with dirt. To ensure that the plant is properly planted in the ground, lightly pat the earth around the stem.
Maintain the same watering schedule that you used for the seeds. Regularly watering the plants will help the soil maintain moisture.
After settling into their new location, your cabbage plants will need around 6 hours of sunlight each day.
Feed the cabbage liquid, organic fertiliser after it begins to produce a head, such as a mixture of water and seaweed.
Your cabbage plants will be ready for their first harvest 95 to 150 days into their growth cycle.
Supplements for Cabbage
The group of plants known as “heavy feeders” includes cabbage. They need fertilisers on a regular basis. A balanced organic fertiliser should be applied to your cabbage plants at least once each week. We at Bhagatseeds think that there are numerous ways in which plants and people are quite similar.
Chemical fertilisers have a similar impact on plants as preservatives and other chemicals do on humans. You can locate a variety of natural fertilisers in your home. For instance, tea is effective at raising the nutritional content of the soil. Additionally, it quickens the growth of the plants.
