Growing Cabbages

GROW YOUR OWN CABBAGE

Cabbage is a hardy vegetable that grows especially well in fertile soils. There are various shades of green available, as well as red or purple types.Cabbage is easy to grow if you select suitable varieties and practice proper culture and insect management. Always regarded as a good source of vitamins, cabbage recently has been shown to have disease-preventive properties as well.Growing cabbage plants or seeds is easy in your home vegetable garden. These delicious vegetables can be planted in the ground, in a raised vegetable garden, or even in a container garden.

Sowing And Growing

• You can buy transplants from a local grower, but cabbage is easy to grow from seed.
• Cabbages grow best in sunny, cool areas of the garden.Prior to germinating seeds, prepare the garden bed where the seeds will eventually be planted: add and turn in compost or manure. Don’t add any lime as this vegetable prefers a slightly acidic soil.
• Cabbages can be either sown directly in the ground outside, or in seed traysIn individual pots, plant seeds half a centimeter deep in seed-raising mix.
• Seedlings are best raised indoors or in a glasshouse at this time of year due to cold soils and potential frosts.
• Within a fortnight, seeds should start sprouting. Continue to water lightly for a further six to eight weeks. Transplant the young plants to their final growing position when plants have five or six true leaves, setting the lowest leaves at ground level into the prepared garden bed allowing 45cm between each plant.
• Never allow the plants to dry out as this will severely check their growth so water liberally especially in hot dry weather.
• Keep the soil free of weeds by frequent hoeing this will also help to aerate the soil and to deter pest from laying their eggs near the crop.
• Feed summer and winter cabbages with a high-nitrogen fertiliser before they get too big.

Harvesting and Storage

• Cabbage can be harvested anytime after the heads form.
• Cabbages are harvested by cutting through the stem just above ground level with a sharp knife.
• After harvesting, cut a deep X into the stem and it will produce another cluster or smaller heads in a few weeks’ time. 
• Cabbages are best eaten just after harvesting.Fresh cabbage with uncut heads can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Cover loosely with a plastic bag or use perforated bags. Do not wash cabbage before storing, the extra moisture will hasten deterioration.

Few Health Benefits Of cabbage

• Boosts immune system-Due to its high amount of Vitamin C, cabbage helps strengthen the Immune System and help the body fight against free radicals.Cabbage is one of the best natural remedies for stomach ulcers.
• Skin care-The antioxidants in cabbage help protect the skin from free radical damage known to cause signs of aging.
• Reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease-Recent research has shown that eating red cabbage may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Red cabbage contains vitamin K and anthocyanin, an antioxidant to help reduces plaque on the brain, thus can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
• Prevent cancer growth-Cabbage contains several cancer fighting properties, including lupeol, sinigrin, diindolylmethane (DIM), indole-3-carbinol (I3C), and sulforaphane, which may help trigger enzyme defenses and inhibit tumor growth
• Prevent cataract risk-Cabbage is also high in beta-carotene which helps protect against age-related mascular degeneration and prevent cataracts.

Spicy Green Cabbage Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 small head of green cabbage sliced thin and washed
• 1- 2 sprigs of freshly chopped cilantro
• 2- 3 fresh green chilies sliced thin
• 1 tbsp. black and white sesame seeds
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt to taste

Method

• Heat oil  in a pan.
• Add sesame seeds and stir till it begins to sputter.
• Add chopped cilantro and sliced chilies and stir for about a minute.
• Stir for 30 seconds and then add sliced cabbage.
• Cover and cook for 5- 7 minutes until cabbage is just tender.
• Garnish with chopped cilantro leaves.
• Serve immediately.