Complete Guide to Open-Field Cabbage Planting Times and Techniques

Cabbage, like Chinese cabbage, is a cold-tolerant, high-yielding vegetable and one of the main vegetables in spring, summer and autumn, widely grown in China.So when is open-field cabbage planted? What are the planting techniques?Read on for the details.

1. Basic facts about cabbage

1. The origin of cabbage

Cabbage is a common name; its scientific name is head cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata), also called white cabbage, round cabbage, bao cai, bao xin cai, lotus cabbage, fuzi bai, da tou cai, coconut cabbage, bao bao bai and so on, and it is widely grown throughout China. Cabbage originated in the Mediterranean region of Europe and is also one of the most important vegetables for Westerners.

2. Cabbage varieties

At present there are about 400 cabbage varieties. According to head shape they can be divided into four types: pointed, round, flat and hybrid. Common cultivated varieties include chicken-heart cabbage, ox-heart cabbage, Beijing Early, Shanxi No. 1, Black Leaf Small Flat Head, Huangmiao and so on.

3. Cabbage yield per mu

Generally the yield per mu of cabbage differs by variety. Early-maturing varieties yield 1600-2400 kg per mu; mid-maturing varieties 1750-2400 kg; late-maturing varieties 3000-3500 kg.

2. When is open-field cabbage planted?

Cabbage has strong adaptability and tolerates cold and heat, so in the north it can be planted in all three seasons of spring, summer and autumn. In the high-cold areas of Northeast China, Northwest China and North China, it is mostly raised as seedlings in spring and summer, planted in summer and harvested in autumn; the growth period is long and the heads are large, making this the main producing area of cabbage in China.

In North China and some cities in Northeast and Northwest China, spring and autumn cropping is dominant, though multiple cropping is also possible. Seedlings raised in winter and spring, planted in spring and harvested in summer are called summer cabbage. Seedlings raised in summer, planted in autumn and harvested in autumn and winter are called autumn cabbage.

3. Complete guide to open-field cabbage planting techniques

Cabbage has strong adaptability and disease resistance, so the level of planting technique affects both yield per mu and quality. Save this complete guide!

1. Raising seedlings and transplanting cabbage

Spring cabbage is mostly grown as an early-maturing crop. In cold areas such as Northeast China, Northwest China and Inner Mongolia, seedlings are usually raised in greenhouses from February to March, with a seedling period of 60-0 days. In North China there are two seedling-raising methods: one is raising seedlings in cold frames (sun-facing beds) from mid-December to early January and transplanting in February to March; the other is raising seedlings in plastic greenhouses in February, with a seedling period of 40-50 days. Autumn cabbage seedlings are raised from June to July, with a seedling period generally of 35-40 days. Summer cabbage seedlings are raised from April to May, with a seedling period of 30-40 days.

2. Transplanting cabbage and watering and fertilizing methods

Generally, transplanting can begin once the average daily temperature reaches above 6°C, and in the north flat-bed cultivation is dominant. After transplanting, cabbage needs a watering to help the seedlings recover, along with intertillage and loosening of the soil. Once it enters the rosette stage, the first topdressing can be applied, generally 15-20 kg of nitrogen fertilizer per mu, and the water supply must not be lacking either.

3. Pest and disease control for cabbage

In the early stages of growth, cabbage is easily harmed by the cabbage caterpillar, which is the larva of the cabbage white butterfly. It gnaws the tender leaves and in severe cases can cause total crop loss. Low-toxicity, low-residue, high-efficiency insecticides should be used for control. The best time to spray insecticide is in the evening, when spraying can avoid changes in concentration and composition caused by sunlight and helps the insecticide deliver its maximum effect.

The above is all the content about cabbage planting introduced to you by the Tuliu.com editors. Growers, be sure to master it when planting.