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| cabbage plot |
Cabbage is one of the most important vegetables grown for cooking and use in salads in Kenya. The plant’s
scientific name is Brassica oleraceae and it’s propagated from seed. The seed
is widely available in seed stores across Kenya. This vegetable is grown rain
fed or under irrigated conditions. Cabbage is mainly used for cooking, in
vegetable salad and as plant matter for livestock feed.The major market outlet
is the local fresh market in rural and urban areas. Optimum temperature for
cabbage growing are 16-20ºC .At temperatures above25ºC head formation is
reduced. The vegetable has high water requirement during growth period with
500mm rainfall considered optimal. Cabbage can grow in altitude ranging from
800 to over 2,000 metres. Soils should be well drained, high in organic matter,
high water holding capacity with optimum ph of 6-6.5.Cabbage varieties grown
depend on market requirements and taste. Sugar loaf, Gloria F1 hybrid and Copenhagen market are
considered as sweet tasting varieties. Classification according to the market:-
a) For
processing: Large heads, firm white varieties like drumheads.
b) Urban
centres: medium to small heads e.g. Drumhead, Copenhagen market, golden acre, and Sugar
loaf and Gloria F1 hybrid.
c) Rural
areas: Normally plant medium to large heads e.g. drumheads, Copenhagen market, sugarloaf, golden acre,
Gloria F1 hybrid.
d) Kitchen
gardens: Grow varieties with long harvest period e.g. sugar loaf and Copenhagen market.
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| Cabbage salad |
There are many cabbage varieties in Kenya but the most popular are Gloria F1 hybrid,
Copenhagen
market and golden acre. The growing of these vegetables should be started by
raising seedlings on nursery beds. Plant seeds in raised or sunken beds for wet
and hot areas respectively. The dimensions should be 1 meter wide and any
desired length. Soil should be well prepared to a fine tilth before planting ,
then seeds drilled into the nursery bed as cabbage seeds they are small. The
seed rate is 300gm/ha. Healthy vigorous seedlings should be transplanted when
they are 10-12cm high, about 4-6 weeks old. Soils low in organic matter
requires 20 tons/ha of manure or 1-2 handfuls of manure per planting hole
should be applied. D.A.P fertilizer is recommended @ 200kg/ha at planting. In
acidic soils dolomitic limestone should be applied @ 500-1000kg/ha.In acid
soils D.A.P fertilizer should be avoided and instead triple superphosphate,
double superphosphate or compound N.P.K fertilizer should be used.
The plant should be topdressed with a nitrogen
fertilizer at a rate of 100kg/ha when seedlings are established and a second
topdressing at a rate of 200kg/ha when the leaves start folding. Have the soil
tested for nutrient status where possible before planting. The field should be
kept free of weeds during the vegetable’s growing season and mulching conserves
moisture. Harvesting starts 1.5-4months after transplanting and lasts 4-6
weeks. The vegetable is ready when heads are firm.3-4 wrapper leaves should be
left to cover the head and keep it fresh. Avoid bruising the head as it
encourages rotting. Depending on variety, soil nutrient status, water
availability and environmental conditions the vegetable yields range from
40-100tons/ha.Grade and pack cabbage vegetable heads in crates, arrange with
stem end facin for g the outer wall of the crates for transportation. This will
avoid bruising the vegetables head. Cabbage heads can store for sometime at 0ºC
and 95% relative humidity. Varieties with good storability grow hard compact
heads e.g. Copenhagen
market cabbage variety. Buy your seeds from reputable stores.
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