What to know
Missouri ’s diverse climate and fertile stain supply anideal environmentforgrowing cabbage . Whether you ’re a seasoned nurseryman or just starting out , thiscomprehensive guidewill outfit you with the cognition and techniques to cultivate thriving Brassica oleracea plants in the Show - Me State .
Choosing the Right Location
Cabbage favour well - enfeeble soilwith a pH between 6.0 and 6.8 . pick out asunny spotwith at least six time of day of sunshine per day . deflect planting in areas that have beenrecently fertilizedwith manure , as this can lead to disease .
Preparing the Soil
Before planting , better the soil with compost or well - decompose manureto meliorate drain and fertility . If your grime is heavy , consideradding sandor perlite to amend aeration .
Starting Seeds Indoors
If you ’re starting seeds indoors , sow in them 6 - 8 workweek before the lastspring frost . Use a seeded player - starting mix and keep the seedlings warm and moist . Once they have developed their first set of true leave , transplant them into item-by-item pot .
Transplanting Outdoors
season off the seedlings bygradually exposingthem tooutdoor conditionsfor a calendar week before transplanting . Space the plant life 12 - 18 inches apart in rows that are 2 - 3 feet aside .
Watering
Cabbage plants postulate reproducible moisture , especially during raging , teetotal atmospheric condition . body of water deep at the base of the plants , avoiding the leaves . Mulch around the plants to helpretain moistureand suppress weeds .
Fertilizing
Fertilize the plants once a calendar month with abalanced plant food . Avoid over - fertilizing , as this can lead toexcessive leaf growthand lose weight head word formation .
Pest and Disease Control
Cabbage is susceptible to a variety of pesterer and diseases . coarse pests let in aphids , cabbage inchworm , and flea beetles . disease include black rot , clubroot , and downy mildew . Use constitutive plague control methods whenever possible , such as companion planting and row cover .
Harvesting
Cabbage school principal are quick to harvest when they are firm and have reached their desire size of it . trim the caput from the plant with asharp knife , will a few inches of stem attached .
Storing Cabbage
Store lettuce in a coolheaded , dark placewith high humidity . Cabbage can be stored for several calendar week in the icebox or for up to six months in a beginning basement .
Growing Cabbage in Missouri: Tips and Tricks
In a nutshell
Growing cabbage in Missouri is arewarding experiencethat can leave you with fresh , nutritious vegetables throughout the time of year . By following the tips and techniques adumbrate in this guide , you could cultivate flourish cabbage plant that willproduce bountiful harvestsfor years to come .
Frequently Asked Questions
Q : When is the good time toplant cabbagein Missouri?A : Cabbage can be embed in Missouri inearly springor gloaming . Q : How often should I irrigate loot plants?A : Cabbage plants require consistent moisture , especially during hot , teetotal weather . piss profoundly at the base of the plants , avoid the leaves . Q : What are the mostcommon pestsand disease thataffect cabbage plantsin Missouri?A : Common pestilence include aphid , cabbage measuring worm , and flea beetles . disease let in black guff , clubroot , and downy mould . Q : How can Iprevent cabbage plantsfrom bolting?A : bolt is make by emphasis , such as heat , drought , ornutrient want . Keepcabbage plantswell - watered , fertilized , and protected from extreme temperatures . Q : How long does it take forcabbage headsto mature?A : kale heads typically maturein 60 - 90 days from transplantation .
