A lot of people often ask questions like, is growing Cabbage in a container possible if you don’t have a backyard garden?
Well, the answer is Yes, it is quite possible to grow Cabbage in a container.
So, in this post, we are going to provide basic instructions and how to successfully grow Cabbage in a container.
Not everyone will have a backyard garden, however, gardening in containers is a trend in many households.
Even people with backyard gardens still use containers for certain plants that need special care.
So, when it comes down to growing Cabbages in containers are no different than when it is planted in the ground or in raised beds.
However, when it comes down to Cabbages growing in containers, the size of the Cabbage may be a bit smaller than when it’s planted in the ground.
Nonetheless, let’s have a look at some basic things you can do to get started with your container Cabbage.
The Ideal Container Size to Grow Cabbage in
The ideal size of a container to grow a Cabbage in is a 17 by 17 container which is a standard 17-inch height and a 17-inch wide container.
However, it is not limited to this size any container wider than 17 inches with good height or a 7-gallon bucket will do well for one Cabbage plant as well.
Cabbages normally grow well in containers where they have lots of paces that spread out without interference and competition.
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How To Sow Cabbage Seeds for Containers?
Cabbage can be sown in the soil or the container you want to plant it in, however, is best to sow your Cabbage seeds indoors in a planting tray 6 weeks before transplanting.
If you are living in areas where the weather is mostly warm, it’s best to start growing cabbage in early Spring or early fall.
Cabbage is mostly a cool-season plant and does very well in cold temperatures.
Sow your Cabbage seeds at least half an inch or (6mm) deep in your starter mix. Keep the starting kit mixed compost moist at all times.
Once the Cabbage seed has germinated and reaches at least (4 inches) in height, it can be planted in containers or raised beds.
So, by doing that, it will give your Cabbages a great head start while you monitor and watch them grow healthy and strong.
Types Of Potting Mix For Container Cabbage
There are many different combinations of potting mix you can use for growing cabbage in a container. If you are using pure compost it may not be enough to support the Cabbage plant.
Some base potting mixture to use is chicken or goat manure along with organic fertilizer and a vermiculite mixer.
So, since the Cabbage plant is a cool temperature plant, the vermiculite mixture will aid the Cabbage to stay cool on hot days.
If you are wondering how the quantity should be?
Well, it all depends on the size container you are using. For the nest results, use half of each potting mix and less fertilizer.
For example: In Total of 100%
- Regular Compost = 30%
- Chicken Manure = 30%
- Vermiculite Mixture (Others) = 30%
- Fertilizer = 10 %
Nevertheless, even though Cabbages are cool plants they need up to 6 hours of sunlight per day. When it comes to water, if you have pure sunlight during the day, you sure water daily.
If the temperature is a cool 65 – 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, watering 2- 3 times per week should be enough for your Cabbage plant.
The Best Type Of Cabbage to Grow In a Container
The best type of Cabbages that will grow well in containers are Red Acer Cabbages, Savoy Cabbages, Giant Cabbages, and Traditional Cabbages.
Red Acer Cabbage:
The Red Acer Cabbage is a great choice to plant in containers and a raised bed garden. Red Cabbages are 5x more nutritional value than most Cabbages.
Savoy Cabbage:
The Savoy Cabbage is a unique Cabbage that looks and tastes different from your regular traditional Cabbages.
Savoy Cabbages have stylish curly green leaves that form the Cabbage. Its unique taste and look make it a great choice to plant in containers.
Gaint Cabbage:
When it comes to the giant variety of Cabbage, they ten to feed on a lot of water a fertilizer. However, once they have been successfully grown, they will produce a large head of Cabbage. Its taste is much different than the Savoy, Red Acer, and regular traditionally Cabbages.
What Type Of Fertilizers To Use On Container Cabbage
Cabbages are leafy green vegetable plants that make them rely on high comprised fertilizers.
Some compost already has fertilizers in them, however, if you planting in raised beds or a container there are 3 types of fertilizer to use.
Types of Fertilizers
- All-Purpose Fertilizer
- Compost Tea Fertilizer
- Seaweed Emulsion Fertilizer
It is ideal to mix organic matters in the soil you plant the Cabbage this will help the Cabbage to grow and survive at a much higher rate.
Why?
Well, since Cabbages, or mostly leaves, need a lot of nutrients to grow healthy and fruitful.
If you are using liquid fertilizers, apply them once per month in the Cabbage container plant.
Also, If you are using soil fertilizers, you can sprinkle them around the Cabbage plant at least 2 times per month.
Container Cabbage Growth Quality
If you notice that your Cabbage or Cabbages looks poor in growth, there are two things you need to check to fix that issue.
Nutrition Level:
make sure that your Cabbage plant is getting enough nutrition as well as lots of sunlight and water.
These are the two major things to check if your Cabbage growth is poor.
Soil pH:
Cabbage soil pH is typically 6.5 when using a pH tester for the soil. If you have anything less than that your soil pH might not be enough for your leafy green Cabbage.
Insect That Affects Cabbage Plants
There are serval different types of insects that love to feed on Cabbage leaves. To name a few are Aphids, Cabbage Looper, and Slugs.
How to Remove Cabbage insects
Aphids:
Aphids are a small ants-looking insects that pills up together under the leaves of the Cabbage. To get rid of them all you need is to wash them off with soapy water or a power hose.
Cabbage Loopers:
Cabbage Loopers are small green worms that feed on the Cabbage leave when the butterfly lays their eggs on the plant. To get rid of Looper Worn is to monitor and handpick or use organic pesticides to remove them.
Slugs:
Slugs are slimy-looking worms that can do a lot of harm to your Cabbage plant by making huge holes in the leaves or devouring most of the leaves as a whole.
They are handpicked at night, but it’s ideal to use products such as Slug baits to stop them in thier tracks traps.
How long Does Cabbage Take to Harvest?
Cabbages that are planted without transplanting take approximately (4 – 6 months) to harvest which is equal to 90 – 180 days.
Transplanted Caggbages can take up to 3 – 4 Months to harvest depending on the variety of the Cabbage.
So all in all, Caggabges can grow pretty well in Containers and raised beds successfully if they get the care and nutrients they need to survive.
Growing Cabbage in a container is sometimes the idea why most farmers prefer to harvest Cabbages because of pests and insects.
This way they can alleviate the use of chemicals on the leafy green vegetable Cabbage that can be harmful to your health.
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