Cabbages have always been a wild ride for me. I can plant any vegetable, but none gives me the same challenges as cabbages.
I still remember my early gardening days, eagerly sowing cabbage seeds into the ground, only to face the gut-wrenching disappointment of pests and wilting leaves.
The excitement would quickly turn into frustration and I decided to do something about it.
Now that I’ve gained some experience and mastered growing cabbages over the years, I feel compelled to share effective advice with fellow gardeners.
Here are my 7 best natural tips for cultivating healthier cabbage plants.
How To Grow Cabbage Organically: 7 Natural Tips For Healthier Plants
Tip 1 – Choose The Right Variety
The cabbage variety you plant matters!
It’s important to select the right variety according to your soil and climate conditions to ensure a robust harvest. Generally, disease-resistant types are much more preferable.
Savoy, Napa, and green cabbage are some of the more popular kinds that perform well in specific conditions.
Tip 2 – Get The Soil Right
Most people just plant their cabbages in basic garden soil and wonder why they aren’t “thriving”.
If your aim is to grow lush and healthy cabbages, adding plenty of organic matter like fertilizer, rotted manure, and compost is always a good idea.
Soil fertility will improve and there will be an abundance of nutrients your cabbage can absorb and utilize to grow to their fullest. Trust me, you can never go wrong with a few soil amendments.
Tip 3 – Natural Pest Repellents Will Be Useful
Although there’s nothing inherently wrong with using store-bought chemical pest repellents, you can conveniently make them at home too with natural ingredients.
They’re much safer and pet-friendly which puts them at a slight advantage… At least for me.
Neem and peppermint oil are the holy grail of natural pest repellents.
Because cabbages can attract lots of pests, insects, and unwanted flies, strong natural deterrents like these diluted with a little water can work like magic to keep them out.
You can (and should…) use marigolds for pest control, learn here wich ones are the best!
Tip 4 – Address Nutrient Deficiencies Early On!
If your cabbage leaves were developing well but suddenly started displaying yellow discoloration and signs of stress, an underlying nutrient deficiency is likely to be the reason behind it.
Make sure you address these nutrient deficiencies and problems early on.
Use organic fertilizers like fish emulsion, compost tea, and bone meal to give the plants the nutrient boost they need to maintain vibrant color and vigor throughout the growing season.
I believe you will love this article: Why Is My Cabbage Not Forming Heads? 4 Causes and Solutions
Tip 5 – Be Vary Of Temperatures
Cabbage is a vegetable that typically thrives and performs best when outside temperatures are on the cooler side. Anywhere between 12°C to 20°C is ideal.
If you live in a warmer area, chances are you might face some trouble growing cabbages due to heat stress. In that case, it’s best to protect the crop during the hottest part of the day using a large shade cloth, especially if the plants are still somewhat young.
Tip 6 – Give Them The Sunlight They Need!
Cabbages NEED sunlight to grow optimally!
I can’t stress this enough — it’s a vegetable that requires full sun as well as a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive.
In case there isn’t adequate light to support full growth in one spot, consider transplanting your cabbage plant to another sunnier location before complications arise.
Tip 7 – Calcium Is Your Ally
Because cabbages are susceptible to problems like tip burn and discoloration around the edge of the leaves, calcium can be useful in preventing these issues from flaring up.
Simply crush a few eggshells into a fine powder and incorporate it into your garden soil or where the cabbages are planted. It’s the simplest, fastest, and cheapest way to get that extra calcium oomph!
Final Words
When I sit in peace sometimes, I reflect on my gardening journey and the many troubles and challenges my cabbages brought for me.
They certainly weren’t an easy one!
Yet, I’m grateful for those difficulties, as they taught me valuable lessons. Now, I get to share my passion for gardening on the internet by helping fellow gardeners navigate their own journeys, all thanks to the hurdles I’ve overcome.
