The Latest Snow Cabbage Planting Techniques: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Snow cabbage (potherb mustard) is a fairly common vegetable in northern China, while in the south it is generally a seasonal vegetable. But with the accelerating integration between north and south, snow cabbage is gradually appearing more and more frequently on southern dining tables. So how exactly should this vegetable be planted? Let's find out together with Qinnong Network below.

1. Raising seedlings

Raising seedlings is an important step in planting snow cabbage. The soil for raising seedlings must be very fertile; ideally, farmyard manure compost should be applied one month before raising seedlings. Plow the soil well before sowing and use sunlight to achieve a certain disinfecting effect. Choose a spot with fairly fine soil. The seeds do not need to be buried deep, 2-3 cm is fine, so the seeds can absorb soil nutrients and breathe air well, which helps them sprout successfully faster.

2. Preparing the land

The soil requirements after transplanting are not high; it just needs to be somewhat fertile, but the land still needs composting, and the base amount should be a bit larger. Next, level the land into strips and make sure drainage is good. Keep each strip 1.5 m wide, and keep the drainage ditch in between a bit wider than one foot, just enough to make walking around convenient during routine management. Weeds and the like that are cleared out should be taken away and must not be composted, otherwise pathogens are easily produced.

3. Planting out

Planting out should be done a bit earlier; at this time snow cabbage has the best vigor and a high survival rate, so control the time around 8-10 o'clock. The seedlings being planted out should ideally still have some soil on them, as this can effectively protect the young seedlings. It is recommended to transplant when they are around 12-15 cm, when the seedlings are just about to enter their growth period; being too densely packed is no longer good for growth. Keep the transplanted seedlings at a spacing of 20-30 cm, and be sure to water them after transplanting.

4. Fertilizer and water

Fertilizer and water are the decisive factors for the later growth of snow cabbage, so fertilizer and water must be sufficient. Fertilization is generally done by applying nitrogen fertilizer mixed with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, with nitrogen fertilizer making up the majority. In the early stage, to ensure the growth of the seedlings, a certain amount of urea can also be applied. One week after planting out, fertilizer needs to be applied promptly, in small amounts. The middle stage is when fertilization is most frequent, generally requiring 2-3 applications. There is no need to fertilize in the half month before harvest. After each fertilization, spray an appropriate amount of water according to the soil's dryness or moisture.

5. Pest prevention

This is an area that snow cabbage growers need to pay attention to, as it can easily cause reduced yields. The main damage to snow cabbage is concentrated in insect pests, with aphids and the like occurring especially frequently, and they are not easy to spot. Generally, if you notice a tendency for the leaves of snow cabbage to change color, you should inspect the plants promptly. Once the type of pest is identified, use pesticides promptly to remove it, because it is very difficult to find them by hand. Other diseases occur less often; as long as humidity and water levels are not too high, it is fine.

The market for snow cabbage is currently gradually expanding toward the south, and its taste is also fairly suited to southern tastes. Once it becomes widespread, it will certainly have a good market, so everyone planting this should be attentive and make sure they get a good harvest.