How to Grow Cabbage in Uganda

Are you planning to start growing Cabbage on commercial scale in Uganda?

…..just a hobbyist planning to start a small vegetable garden in your backyard and are looking around the internet for tips and ideas on How to grow Cabbage?

May be your searching online to buy some African cabbage for consumption at home/school/hospital/camp/hotel/party?

…..Or your looking for Cabbage seeds/Seedlings for planting?

Whatever your quest for cabbage is in Africa, please take time to read through our farming guide for answers; you could be just a few clicks away to a successful vegetable growing carrier in Uganda…!

Grown even in the roman days, cabbage is one of the most popular vegetables grown for cooking and other uses around the world. The leafy vegetable is part of the brassica genus, and it grows best in partial shade, in firm, fertile free draining soil. Cabbage comes in a variety of green shades, as well as purple or red. The shape of the head varies as well. In about 60-70 days you could be able to harvest your cabbage depending on the variety.

How to classify cabbage in Uganda

cabbages are normally classified according to the duration of time they take to mature;

Early cabbages- these include golden Acer which matures in 65 days, and red express which matures in 63 days.

Midseason types these include baby cabbage which takes about 71 days to grow.

And lastly is the late season types like Red cabbage which looks like the Red Acer and takes 75 days to mature.

What your cabbages need to grow

Cabbage prefer well drained, fertile soils high in organic matter, and with a PH between 6.0-7.5. They can however tolerate slightly alkaline soil. Cabbages are heavy feeders and as such yours will also need plenty and consistent moisture.

How to plant your cabbage

Prepare your soil for seeds or seedling by digging it over with a garden fork,then rake it to make a fine seed bed. Your Cabbage will need affirm soil base to keep their roots anchored because cabbage heads are heavy. You can sow along a single row or along staggered wide rows. Use spacing of 12-18 inches wide and 16-18 inches between rows. Ensure to harden off seedlings to prepare them for planting.

How to fertilize and weed your cabbages

Fertilize your plants when growing especially after transplanting and then add nitrogen when the cabbage is half grown.

Always weed your cabbage vegetable garden as the need arises to control grass and other weeds because cabbage is a shallow rooted crop, and its cultivation is shallow.

Chemicals are available for weed control and generally perform very satisfactorily.

How best to Harvest your cabbage in Africa

Cabbages are harvested by cutting through the stem; just above ground level with a sharp knife. If you want to get the highest yields, cut the cabbage’s head when it is solid (firm to hand pressure), but before it cracks or splits when head are matures.

Sudden heavy rains may cause cabbage heads to crack or split wide open.

Quick Tips for Planting your Cabbage in Africa

• • On a well prepared seed bed or germination tray open up holes in a row

• • Sow seeds 1-2 cm deep and rows should be spaced 15 cm apart

• • Water the seeds to provide the moisture needed for germination

• • Seed germination will be seen 4-7 days after planting

• • Thin seedlings to 7.5 cm between each plant after germination

• • Harden off seedlings in preparation for transplanting

• • Cabbage is ready for transplanting when the seedlings are between 6-8 cm high

• • Water your main garden the day before when you plan moving the seedlings next day , and keep them well watered until established.

• • Mulch, mulch…Cabbages do love moist soils to thrive best, this also keeps away weeds.

• • Harvest after the recommended days of growing.