GARDENING: ALL ABOUT THE CABBAGE HEAD

The two preceding columns discussed the various aspects of growing a cabbage plant, covering the seed-sowing process, germination and transfer of seedlings. They included plant requirements, ranging from water needs, sunlight exposure and fertiliser input during the nascent stages of the cabbage plant growth.
The columns also highlighted the nutritional content of the cabbage and the health benefits of consuming it, along with some interesting and relevant facts about cabbage farming from around the world. This week’s column discusses the prerequisites during the maturity stage of the cabbage plant growth and the eventual harvest process of this leafy ball of health.
As the plant grows and begins to mature, the size of the leaves begins to increase. This increase in size is followed by the inward folding of the central, comparatively smaller leaves, to give it the shape of a ball. This folding is usually referred to as head formation, which occurs at the centre of the plant.
There should be a span of at least two to three weeks after transplantation in which fertiliser shouldn’t be used. Afterwards, throughout the maturity phase, the plant should be supplemented with a handful of nitrogen-based fertiliser after every two weeks. One may also use compost or decomposed cow manure for this purpose.
It is essential to stop fertiliser application again once the cabbage head begins to form. During this stage, adding fertiliser would result in the splitting of the cabbage. This splitting of the mature cabbage head may also occur due to excessive watering or moisture intake.
It usually takes around three months for the plant to begin forming the cabbage head. This is for those plants that remain at their permanent positions from the very beginning. If you are counting the weeks after transplantation, then it will roughly take about six weeks to two months.
The cabbage head can be drastically impacted also with a sudden surge in temperature or drop in mercury. It is, therefore, suggested to always opt for seeds which are better suited to the local climate, and are specifically recommended for the area where the cabbage is to be planted. Depending upon the cabbage type, it will take about four to six months from sowing seeds before it will be ready for harvesting.

There are two harvesting techniques for cabbage, once the cabbage head starts to show firmness. One is to completely remove the plant from the ground and to detach the cabbage head afterwards. Due to limited space availability, this is my preferred technique, as it gives me more space to grow some other plants quickly. The leftover cabbage plant’s outer leaves, apart from the cabbage head, are also edible, but they are relatively hard and not consumed. They usually make way into the compost bins or can be used as fodder for poultry.
The second technique is to carefully cut off the cabbage from the base of the head, while leaving the rest of the plant firmly planted in the ground or in the container. Later, this harvested plant is likely to produce three to four smaller-sized cabbage heads from the same place of the previous harvest. This, however, may eat up quite some time and will engage your space for that duration.
Many pests attack the cabbage plant, especially towards the end of the plant life cycle. The efforts of the grower can go in vain if the cabbage head is infested with unwanted, albeit frequently occurring pests. These pests include, but are not limited to, aphids, loopers and cabbage worms. The aphids are the more common ones, which multiply very quickly. They not only damage the cabbage head, but the rest of the plant as well.
The best way to avoid pest attack, especially those of aphids, would be to spray the plant from the seedling/sapling stage onwards, with any of the organic pesticides. A spoonful of neem [margosa] oil in one litre water is one of my favoured pesticides in this regard, which can be sprayed on the plant after every 15 to 20 days till the eventual harvest.
In case the plant is already under attack, then a few drops of detergent can be added to the mixture of neem oil and sprayed over the plant. This has to be repeated after every three to four days until the pests disappear. In case of a severe attack or a delayed response to pest attack, the only option to save the plant would be to spray it with chemical pesticides.

Growing cabbage in one’s containers, raised beds or in the ground and to see the cabbage head grow and form can be extremely fulfilling. Consuming organic vegetables, harvested from your garden directly to your plate, is a feeling beyond explanation. Since it is mostly eaten raw as well, the freshly harvested cabbage helps one fulfil this desire.
Please send your queries and emails to [email protected]. The writer is a physician and a host for the YouTube channel ‘DocTree Gardening’ promoting organic kitchen gardening
Published in Dawn, EOS, October 20th, 2024