Growing Chinese cabbage in the open field

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Peking cabbage has a particularly delicate flavor. It is not surprising that many gardeners prefer to grow this particular vegetable crop, noting its maximum possible benefits.

Cultivation of Peking cabbage in the open field and proper care for it involves the mandatory consideration of many important nuances, on which the volume and quality of the harvest directly depends.

Features of planting Chinese cabbage

The cultivation of Chinese cabbage is in many ways different from the technologies of planting and caring for the white-headed variety of vegetable crops. The main feature is the possible shooting, which occurs even with long daylight hours. In this case, the vegetable culture is not able to develop correctly, as a result of which the appearance of new seeds is activated, and full-fledged heads of cabbage will no longer work. For this reason, you need to plant a vegetable crop when the daylight hours are shorter.

Peking cabbage is best grown in the middle of spring if fresh consumption is planned.

Cultivation from the middle of summer is advisable when long-term storage of the crop is required. It should be borne in mind how quickly the selected variety becomes ripe. Heads of cabbage of early varieties of Peking cabbage can appear 1, 5 months after planting, mid-season - after 2 months, late - after 70 days.

How to properly plant Chinese cabbage

Outdoor cultivation and proper care are two questions that deserve detailed answers to ensure you get the harvest you want.

Vegetable cultivation always begins with planting seedlings in open ground. It is advisable to plant 5-6 full leaves at the developmental stage of seedlings, and this usually occurs after 3 weeks of germination. About a week and a half before planting, the seedlings are hardened and subsequently change the watering regime to prevent too active growth of seedlings.

Only on the day of planting can you water Chinese cabbage after a 3-4-day break. It is important to make sure that the basic planting conditions are met: there is practically no risk of night frost and the cabbage received the optimal amount of water during planting.

It is very important to choose the right area for growing Peking cabbage in the open field, because further care should only increase the initial chances of getting a good harvest.

Peking cabbage is very fond of light, so it is advisable to choose open sunny areas for planting it. In addition, one should not rush to planting activities, because the vegetable crop is very vulnerable to frost.

It is advisable to choose an area with loose soil, the acidity of which will be neutral (6-7). In this case, it is desirable to take into account the indicators of fertility. It is recommended to choose an area with moderately moist and well-drained soil. The ideal option is loam.

It is best to plant Chinese cabbage in areas where vegetables of other crops were grown. The condition of the soil, the potential presence or absence of parasites, the risks of infection with dangerous diseases for the plant, which should develop according to a certain pattern, largely depends on this. Compliance with the sowing turnover prevents unnecessary risks of Peking cabbage contamination.

Before planting Peking cabbage, they work with the ground, adding nutritive ingredients, if necessary, taking into account the structure and fertility of the soil. Then cabbage is planted in deep holes at a wide distance for the full development of the planted vegetables.

Correct planting work creates an optimal basis for the further development of Peking cabbage.

Features of caring for Chinese cabbage

Growing Peking cabbage in the open field requires taking into account the rules of caring for a vegetable crop. In fact, care is based on taking into account simple rules that are available even to novice gardeners.

For the first time after planting, it is recommended to cover the cabbage seedlings with non-woven material. This guarantees the protection of young plants from temperature fluctuations and possible night frosts, direct sunlight. With active growth, it is not advisable to grow Peking kaputa in the shade and partial shade.

Watering should be regular. Watering is carried out no more than twice a week, focusing on the period of development of cabbage and weather conditions.

Watering the plant alone is usually sufficient. Do not allow the soil to dry out and the appearance of an earthen crust. During the period of heavy rains, it is very important to monitor the condition of the vegetable crop to ensure that the root system is protected from potential decay.

Soil mulching is mandatory. This procedure is designed to maintain optimal moisture in the soil and help eliminate weeds.

Fertilizing regularly is very important. It is necessary to apply fertilizers almost immediately, about 10-14 days after planting. In this case, you need to plan 2-3 feeding for the entire cycle of plant development.

Pest control is very important. Peking cabbage is disease resistant but vulnerable to pests. Slugs and cruciferous fleas are recognized as especially dangerous. At the first stages of the development of a vegetable culture, the use of powerful chemicals is allowed, but in the future they cannot be used.

Chemical preparations are categorically contraindicated if harvesting is planned in less than a month.

Folk remedies can also be effective: ash, salt, mustard and red pepper. Of course, in order to protect a vegetable crop from parasites, it is very important to plant it in a timely manner and provide proper care in the future.

There is no rush to harvest the crop. Cultivation of Chinese cabbage in the open field is possible until early - mid-October with proper care. An adult plant successfully tolerates a slight freezing temperature, so harvesting can be postponed for a short time to get tasty and large cabbage fruits.