Q What’s the secret to growing good cabbage?

A It’s important to time crops so that the heads develop when the weather is cool. Throughout much of North America, cabbage is grown in spring or fall. In the South and Southwest, it’s a winter crop. Since cabbages are largely water, regular watering is important; the soil should be evenly moist at all times. Watch transplants especially closely in summer (for fall crops) to make sure they aren’t stressed in hot weather. Mulch deeply. Stressed plants grow more slowly and may not form heads. Feed plants with a weak solution of fish emulsion for the first 3 weeks after transplanting or sidedress plants with well-rotted manure 3 weeks after transplanting.

Reprinted from The Veggie Gardener's Answer Book
Copyright 2008 by Barbara W. Ellis, with permission from Storey Publishing.

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