It is no coincidence that pointed cabbage ranks at the top of the list of popular cabbages. Crisp, tender leaves invite you to culinary delights. Hobby gardeners plant the spring vegetables with enthusiasm, because the harvest is not long in coming.

Uncomplicated cultivation in the house ensures a head start in growth

Pointed cabbage traditionally heralds the new garden year. Sowing is possible from January/February on the windowsill or in the greenhouse. At constant temperatures between 16° and 20° Celsius, germination begins within 8 to 10 days. When the first real leaves appear above the cotyledons, the tender little plants are pricked out. By April, such a strong root system has already developed that they move outdoors with a high potential for vitality.

Planting and care do not demand much from the gardener

The demands of pointed cabbage on its cultivation in the vegetable patch are within manageable limits:

  • A sunny, warm location, likes to be bathed in air.
  • Nutrient-rich soil, humic, permeable and calcareous.
  • Plant at a distance of 40×50 cm and cover with crop protection nets.
  • A loose, permanently moist soil is good for the pointed cabbage.

The medium to high nutrient requirement is covered by well-rotted compost, plant manure or a commercial fertilizer, combined with a well-measured dose of lime.

Early cultivation of pointed cabbage protects the vegetable from a variety of pests. Experience has shown that the harvest is already in before they get ready to wreak havoc in the garden. Only voracious snails are considered a serious threat, because tender pointed cabbage is one of their favorite dishes.

Crop rotation as a mainstay in crop protection

The worst enemy of the pointed cabbage appears as clubroot to give the plagued leisure gardener a lot of headaches. Since it is difficult to combat, prevention is of the utmost importance. A crop rotation of 3 to 5 years is essential in order not to open the floodgates to fungal spores. Targeted calcium cyanamide fertilization has also proven to be an effective prophylaxis. In addition, experienced hobby gardeners avoid a mixed culture with strawberries, because they have been exposed as carriers of dangerous fungal spores.

Suitable plant partners are peas, beans, lettuce, celery, carrots and spinach. Fragrant herbs such as dill, thyme or lemon balm drive away annoying insect pests.

tips and tricks

In mild wine-growing regions, there is nothing wrong with sowing the cold-tolerant pointed cabbage in mid-August. Planting at the final site is done by the end of September. Direct sowing in the bed has equally good chances of success with the help of suitable protective measures against frost and snow. Repeated watering should not be missed during the winter. If the mercury column rises in spring, the winter protection is removed during the day to prevent mold growth. The pointed cabbage is then ready for harvest from mid-May.

Category:

Vegetable garden