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Growing Cabbage
(continued page 2)
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Soil and Site for
Cabbage
The ideal site for cabbages is any well drained ground, but
they prefer a medium to light soil which will retain a reasonable amount
of water.
Prepare the ground with manure, several months before sowing. If the
ground has not been manured, apply a general fertiliser before sowing. |
Sowing Cabbage
Plan a succession of sowings from mid spring until early summer for a
long period of harvesting.
For a mid to late summer crop, sow the seed thinly in late winter in
seed beds protected by poly-tunnels / cloches.
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if you would like to buy a poly-tunnel or cloche from GardenAction's
recommended online supplier (UK only). Plant into permanent position during mid
to late spring 30-40 cm (12-15") apart each way. Protection from
severe weather may still be necessary during this time. Cabbages
grown outdoors should be transplanted when four or five cabbage type
leaves have appeared.
Care of Cabbage
Cabbages sown in spring do not require a great deal of care, but do not
allow them to dry out as this will impair their growth. Water liberally
during hot and dry weather. Hoe around the plants during the growing
period to control the weeds and aerate the soil which will also deter
insect pests from laying their eggs. A layer of garden compost
around (but not touching) the plants will conserve water, prevent weeds
and deter those pesky insects!
Where you have no garden compost, covering the
surrounding soil with a weed control fabric will do exactly the same job
and will last for many years.
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if you would like to buy your weed control fabric online.
Cabbages are greedy feeders
and require plenty of fertiliser during the growing period. As the
plants mature, some of the leaves may turn yellow. Break off these
discoloured leaves as soon as they appear.
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