When is the best time to plant red cabbage (purple cabbage) and how do you grow it?
Red cabbage, also known as purple cabbage, is a new variety of cabbage. It originated abroad and has high nutritional value, so its price is a little on the expensive side. At present, some regions of China are also growing it, so when is the best time to plant red cabbage (purple cabbage)? How do you grow it?
Red cabbage planting time
In general, red cabbage can be planted all year round. Spring cabbage is sown and raised as seedlings from late October to December and comes to market from March to May the following year; summer cabbage is sown from March to April and comes to market from June to August, and should be grown in cooler regions; autumn cabbage is sown from June to July and comes to market from September to November; winter cabbage is sown from August to September and comes to market from December to February the following year.
Growing methods:
1. Prepare the soil, apply fertilizer and make ridges
The red cabbage growing cycle is about 80 days. To ensure it has enough nutrients throughout its entire growing period, sufficient base fertilizer must be applied before sowing; generally, well-fermented organic fertilizer is suitable. After applying the fertilizer, dig the soil deeply, then make ridges about 20 cm high and about 30 cm wide.
2. Sowing and emergence of seedlings
The growing method for red cabbage is somewhat similar to that for Chinese cabbage. The sowing steps are: first draw a small furrow about 1 cm deep along the top of the prepared ridge, then water the furrow, and once the water has seeped down, the seeds can be scattered. During this period crickets and grasshoppers like to eat the young seedlings, so the seeds should be sown a bit densely; after scattering the seeds, cover them with about 1 cm of fine soil. After the seedlings emerge, thin them out gradually to ensure a good seedling rate. All seedlings will emerge within 5 days after sowing.
3. Seedling stage management
During the seedling stage of red cabbage, pay attention to thinning and weeding in good time. When the seedlings crowd together, thin them promptly, and water frequently when the weather is dry. The final spacing after thinning should be 25 to 30 cm.
4. Head-forming stage management
When red cabbage grows to 10 leaves, it gradually enters the head-forming stage. During this period, fertilizer and water management should be strengthened. When watering, add a certain amount of nitrogen fertilizer, but do not apply too much at once, so as to avoid tipburn.
5. Harvest
When the head formed by the red cabbage begins to become very firm, it can be harvested. Do not harvest too early, otherwise the taste will be poor if it has not fully developed.