Growing Cabbage the Fun and Smart Way: A Guide
Cabbage is more than just a versatile vegetable; it’s a good addition to any small
garden or farm. High quality cabbage seeds, delivers high yields, resists black rot, and
matures quickly.
Step 1: Prepare the Land
Think of the land as the stage, it needs to be rich, soft, and ready.
Choose the perfect spot: Look for a sunny patch that gets at least 6–8 hours of
sunlight. Cabbage loves the sunlight
Clear the area: Clear weeds, rocks, and debris.
Loosen the soil: Use a hoe to till the soil to about 15–20 cm deep. This helps the roots
grow well and ensures proper aeration.
Enrich the soil naturally: Forget expensive fertilizers. Use local manure like poultry
droppings or goat dung. Mix about half a wheelbarrow of manure per square meter
into the soil. Compost from food scraps and leaves can also work.
Note: If your soil feels too sandy, mix in clay-rich topsoil. If it’s too heavy, add
more organic matter to improve drainage.
Step 2: Sowing the Seeds
After preparing the land, it's best to wait 1–2 weeks before planting your cabbage
seeds or seedlings. This waiting period allows the organic manure or compost to
integrate into the soil, releasing nutrients and stabilizing the soil environment. after 1
or two weeks, start with a nursery bed on the land: Choose a shaded area and prepare
a bed with soft, rich soil. Sprinkle the seeds 1 cm deep and space them 2–3 cm apart.
Cover them lightly with soil.
Mulch and water: Cover the nursery bed with dry grass or banana leaves to keep it
moist. Water gently every morning or evening (but follow a routine because cabbage
hates surprises). Within 3–6days, you’ll see the first signs of life, your seeds are
germinating.
After 4–6 weeks, your seedlings will have 4–6 true leaves and will be ready to move
to the main part of the farmland.
Step 3: Transplanting with Care
Transplant them in the evening to minimize stress (cabbages don’t like surprises).
Spacing is key: Space them 40–50 cm apart in rows 50–60 cm apart. This gives them
enough room to stretch their leaves and grow those beautiful, semi-flat heads.
Water well: After transplanting, water immediately to help them settle into their new
home.
Step 4: Caring for Your Cabbages
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry seasons. Water
early in the morning or late in the evening.
Weeding: Cabbages don’t like competition, so remove weeds regularly. Be gentle to
avoid damaging their shallow roots.
Natural pest control: Watch out for pests like aphids and cabbage worms. Make a
neem oil spray by mixing 2 tablespoons of neem oil with 1 teaspoon of liquid soap in
4 liters of water. Spray weekly to keep pests at bay.
Boost with compost: Every 3–4 weeks, add more compost or manure around the base
of the plants to keep them well-fed.
Step 5: Watching Them Grow
Your cabbages will grow quickly, they’ll be ready for their first harvest just 39–40
days after sowing! What to expect:
Shape and size: Semi-flat heads, dark green in color, about 28 cm wide.
Weight: Each head will weigh 980 g to 1.3 kg.
Uniformity
Step 6: Harvesting
When the heads are firm to the touch, it’s harvest time!
Cut with care: Use a sharp knife to cut the heads at the base. Leave a few outer
leaves on the stem for protection and to encourage a second harvest.
Conclusion
Cabbage farming can be incredibly rewarding, especially with a high-yield, adaptable
variety. By starting your preparation and planting in February, you’re giving your
cabbages the ideal conditions to thrive during the cooler end of the dry season. With
careful attention to soil preparation, watering, and pest management, your cabbage
heads will be ready for harvest in record time, providing fresh, nutritious produce for
your table or market. The key to success lies in timely preparation, consistent care,
and leveraging local materials to nourish the soil.
THANK YOU FOR READING!!!!!
Timothy Imanobe Oliomogbe
Summary Plan to Start Land Preparation and Planting in February
Week 1: Land Preparation (Early February)
Clear the Land:
Remove weeds, grass, and debris using a hoe or cutlass.
Till the Soil:
Loosen the soil to a depth of 15–20 cm to improve aeration and root penetration.
Add Organic Manure:
Incorporate well-rotted manure (e.g., poultry or goat manure) or compost into the soil.
Use about 1–2 wheelbarrows per square meter.
Form Ridges (Optional):
In areas prone to waterlogging, create ridges or raised beds to improve drainage.
Rest the Land:
Allow the prepared soil to settle and the manure to integrate for 1–2 weeks.
Week 3: Sowing Seeds in a Nursery (Mid-February)
Prepare the Nursery Bed:
Choose a shaded spot and enrich the soil with compost.
Sow seeds 1 cm deep and 2–3 cm apart. Cover lightly with fine soil.
Watering:
Water daily in the morning or evening to keep the soil moist.
Mulch:
Cover the nursery bed with dry grass to retain moisture and regulate temperature.
Monitor Growth:
Seeds will germinate in 3–4 days. Keep an eye out for pests like ants or beetles.
Week 6: Transplanting (Late February)
Prepare the Planting Beds:
Re-till the soil lightly to remove any weeds that may have grown during the resting
period.
Space planting holes 40–50 cm apart in rows 50–60 cm apart.
Transplant the Seedlings:
When the seedlings have 4–6 true leaves (4–6 weeks after sowing), transplant them
carefully in the evening to minimize transplant shock.
Water Immediately:
Water each seedling right after transplanting to help them settle.
Ongoing Care (March and Beyond)
Watering: Keep the soil moist, especially during dry periods. Water early in the
morning or late in the evening.
Weeding: Weed regularly to reduce competition for nutrients.
Pest Control: Use neem oil spray or handpick pests to protect your cabbages
naturally.
Feeding: Add more compost or manure around the plants every 3–4 weeks.
