Everyone knows Chinese cabbage, mostly from Asian cuisine. However, growing Chinese cabbage in your own garden is not as common in this country as planting lettuce, tomatoes or herbs. The cultivation of Chinese cabbage is not difficult.
The right moment
Chinese cabbage is planted at the end of July, at the latest at the beginning of August as a follow-up crop after early potatoes, early peas or strawberries.
You can grow the young plants yourself from seed or buy them pre-grown.
Some commercially available varieties:
- garnet
- Bilko F1
- Richie F1
- Parkin F 1
- Green Rocket F1
It is important not to plant the cabbage too early (otherwise it will blossom) and not too late (otherwise the head can no longer develop).
Correct location
Chinese cabbage prefers a wind-protected, sunny or partially shaded location. Since it is a heavy feeder, we recommend digging up the bed with compost or stable manure beforehand. Bush beans, peas, lettuce, spinach and carrots ensure beneficial togetherness in the bed.
A little care
With the rapid development of the cabbage, regular fertilizer application (approx. every 10-14 days) is necessary. Even more important is keeping the soil sufficiently moist to counteract flea infestations, which can damage the Chinese cabbage.
Regular checking of the leaves and spanning bird protection nets over the plants helps against cabbage whites, which like to lay their eggs on the underside of young cabbage plants.
Plants affected by clubroot become wilted and wither. The only solution here is to completely remove the affected plants.
A rich harvest
Chinese cabbage can be left on the bed for a long time as it tolerates light frost. As soon as firm heads have formed, they can be harvested from October to November in frost-free weather. You take the cabbage with the roots out of the ground and wrap it in the damp sand in the cellar, where it stays until January. It stays fresh and crisp in the fridge for a few weeks.
tips and tricks
If you plant Chinese cabbage in the garden, you have to remember that cabbage beds have to rest for 2 to 3 years before they can be planted with cabbage again. Therefore, if you are satisfied with 5-10 plants, then no crop rotation plan is necessary.