Most summer residents confidently grow cabbage on their plots.
However, situations can often arise when heads of cabbage begin to crack during cultivation.
How to combat this? There are several tricks from experienced gardeners that should be adopted, says Anastasia Kovrizhnykh .
Which variety to choose
When choosing a cabbage variety, preference should be given to those that are well adapted to local climatic conditions and have good resistance to cracking.
For example, varieties with large heads, such as broccoli or savoy cabbage, are usually more resistant to cracking.
Of course, the choice should always be individual; the climatic conditions of the region should always be given special attention.
Regular watering
Cabbage needs sufficient moisture for full growth, especially during the period of active formation of heads.
Regular and even watering will help prevent the soil from drying out, which is one of the reasons for the heads of cabbage to crack. And if moisture accumulates, the root system may begin to rot, which will become a serious problem.
What fertilizers are needed
It is important to choose the right fertilizers that are rich in:
- nitrogen;
- phosphorus;
- potassium.
Use them according to the manufacturer's recommendations. You can also feed the plants with organic fertilizers, such as compost or humus. If we consider organic matter, it should be well rotted.
Protection against temperature changes
Temperature fluctuations can cause cabbage heads to crack. To prevent this, it is recommended to use mulching methods, which will help keep the soil moist and resistant to temperature fluctuations.
Of course, fluctuations are only possible in April; this problem is mostly faced by those who plant early varieties.
When to clean
When the cabbage reaches the optimum size and density, it should be harvested with garden shears or a knife, leaving a small tail on the stem. It is definitely not worth keeping it in the garden for too long, because this is guaranteed to cause cracks in the cabbage.
Earlier we talked about why experienced gardeners tear off the lower leaves of cabbage.
Expert: Anastasia Kovrizhnykh
