General Culture: Click for monthly care information.
Easily grown in organically rich, consistently moist, well-drained loams in full sun. Cabbage is typically grown in the cool temperatures of spring or fall. It needs cool temperatures to produce the best crop. Plants generally grow poorly when daytime temperatures consistently exceed 80F. Although transplants may be purchased from local nurseries, cabbage is best grown from seed. For spring harvest, sow seed indoors 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost date or sow seed outdoors about 4 weeks prior to the last frost date. For fall harvest, sow seed outdoors in July. Keep plants consistently moist. Apply mulch around plants to protect the shallow roots, reduce weeds and retain soil moisture. Cabbages may be picked after the heads get firm. Rotate crops to avoid soil borne diseases.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
‘Ruby Perfection’ is an F-1 hybrid red cabbage. It is a cool weather vegetable that produces 3-4 pound heads of red cabbage in 80 days. Plants will grow to 2’ tall and to 3’ wide. The color of red cabbage makes it an attractive addition to cooked foods, slaws and salads. Cabbage belongs to the Brassica family which includes other cool season vegetables such as kale, collards, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and kohlrabi.
Problems: Click for detailed list of pests and problems.
No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for cabbageworms, cabbage loopers, flea beetles, caterpillars and aphids. Root maggots, slugs and nematodes may cause problems in some areas. Potential diseases include clubroot, black rot and leaf spots.
Uses:
Vegetable garden. Red cabbage adds fall color to ornamental borders.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2009
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