At each summer cottage you can find a huge assortment of vegetables. Among all the variety, cabbage is always present. But not every garden can boast of kale. This species is rarely seen, since it was previously believed that such a cabbage is suitable only for feeding animals. Let's consider everything in order.
Kale Information
Kale is the most versatile vegetable crop used in any kitchen in the world. Cabbage can be eaten raw by adding it to the salad. It can also be boiled, stewed or baked.
It has a lot of fiber and other nutrients, trace elements. By using this vegetable, you can lower blood cholesterol and sugar. Such cabbage can be consumed by everyone. The only exception are people with acute diseases of the digestive system. One of the lowest calorie vegetables is kale. The cultivation of this culture has recently become very popular. In 100 grams of this product, only 16 kcal. And its
nutritional value is: proteins - 1.3 grams, fats - 0.2 grams, carbohydrates - 2.03 grams. Oddly enough, in some countries, cabbage is considered the most beautiful ornamental plant. Special varieties have been created whose sheets are painted white or bright red. With the help of the plant, you can decorate your site until the first snows. Self-growing cabbage does not cause much trouble. Even novice gardeners will cope with the matter. But we will tell about all this in order.
Sowing cabbage
Kale is planted in open ground seedlings. It is planted from early March to late April. But before sowing, you need to properly prepare the seeds, soaking them first in hot water for 20 minutes. In no case should the water temperature exceed 50 degrees. And then for 5 minutes you need to lower them into ice water. This fully helps to adapt the seeds to cold and frost. After that, you can wrap the seeds in a rag for 2-3 days and put in a warm place. As soon as they start to peck, they can be planted in boxes. Now prepare the dishes for growing. It can be large boxes designed for a large number of seedlings, or any other single pots and jars. For sowing seedlings, you do not need to take land from the garden. It is better to purchase special mixes in the store. They contain all the necessary additives and fertilizers. If you still want to bring the land from your own land, then it must be treated from harmful insects that live in the land. This treatment is carried out with a solution of potassium permanganate.
The most favorable day for sowing seeds can be selected according to the lunar calendar. As soon as the first seedlings appear, it needs to be fed. Watering seedlings often, so that the soil does not have time to dry out. The earth must be constantly moist. Plant seedlings in open ground in special holes. This will help retain water for a long time when watering, since kale loves plentiful irrigation. Seedlings are planted at a distance of 50 cm from each other. This will help the cabbage leaves to grow fully.
Cabbage care
How and when to sow cabbage, sorted out. Now it is worth considering the care of her. The main algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Watering.
- Hilling.
- Fertilizer.
- Cracking heads.
Let's analyze each item in more detail.
Watering
Kale requires a lot of moisture, as well as capricious to temperature conditions. Active irrigation is needed for seedlings after planting and when heads of cabbage begin to form. Green leafy cabbage needs watering either in the morning or in the evening. It is not recommended to do this in the middle of the day, as the earth will dry out faster. In this case, the roots of cabbage will not receive the desired moisture.
Hilling
This procedure can be done for the first time 20 days after transplanting seedlings in open ground. And repeat this action every week as necessary. To find out if hilling is required and how often it should be done, you need to look at the stalk of cabbage. If it is short, then it is necessary to spud often, and vice versa.
Fertilizer
Fertilize cabbage after each hilling. To do this, use nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizers using potassium. You can buy them in specialized stores or use fertilizers of your own production. For example, these include mullein, bird droppings or slurry. Fertilize the soil only when necessary. If the land is good, then you should not once again carry out such manipulations with it.
Cracking heads
This is perhaps the most common problem of all gardeners, but this does not apply to our kale variety.
The secrets of growing cabbage
When to sow cabbage? How to grow? How to water? These and other questions are asked by many people. Experienced gardeners who have been cultivating leaf cabbage for a long time reveal their secrets:
- Secret 1 . It is necessary to prepare a bed under cabbage in the fall. It is better if it can be planted in a place where potatoes, beans or cucumbers grew. In autumn, you need to deoxidize the soil using slaked lime, chalk or ash.
- Secret 2 . It is better to grow cabbage in a warm bed. It can be made from various types of organic garbage, which is compacted and watered with diluted manure. The top of the bed is covered with polyethylene to create a greenhouse effect.
- Secret 3 . Kale, as everyone knows, loves a lot of water. It is better if it is very cold, so it is worth taking it from the well.
- Secret 4 . You need to plant cabbage only in sunny areas.
- Secret 5 . With harvesting cabbage you can take your time. It will be better for her if she stands until the first frost.
- Secret 6 . Mandatory treatment is needed for pests that eat cabbage leaves.
Redbor Cabbage
Variety Redbor - cabbage of bright colors, related to hybrids of the first generation. Cultivation occurs according to the above algorithm. It is worth considering the features of this variety and plant characteristics. This type of cabbage can be used not only for food, but also for decorating the garden. Variety Redbor grows purple. In height, it can reach 75 cm.
This cabbage can be grown in autumn and winter. This type of vegetable has large curly leaves that are eaten. Cabbage is planted in seedlings, as well as ordinary, in March-April. In open ground it is moved in late April to early June. Care, watering, top dressing and hilling is done according to the above principle.
Conclusion
Having considered all the tips said, you can grow a good and rich harvest. Kale is valuable not only for its large amount of vitamins and minerals, but also for its decorative properties. You can decorate your summer cottage with it from the beginning of spring to the first snow. We hope that these tips will help in the cultivation of such a healthy and beautiful vegetable.