The basics of growing cabbages

Getting to know and properly understanding the requirements to effectively produce cabbages will always give the producer the competitive edge, writes Shane Brody.

- Shane Brody

Cabbages are a popular and nutritious crop that can be successfully grown by small-scale farmers in South Africa. This vegetable is widely consumed across the country, and it offers consumers value for money. Therefore, demand for cabbages at local markets is high, and this is always important when considering starting a vegetable-growing business.

Cabbage is a cool-season crop that prefers a soil pH of between 6 and 7, and thrives in temperate climates with moderate temperatures and adequate rainfall. Daily minimum temperatures of 4°C to 5°C and maximum temperatures of between 20° and 25° are ideal.

There are many local biomes where cabbages can be planted, but some of the best areas for production are:

• The Western Cape, particularly the areas around Cape Town, Stellenbosch, and Paarl, which have a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and cool summers;

• The Eastern Cape, particularly the areas around Makhanda and Gqeberha, which have a temperate climate with mild winters and warm summers;

• The high-lying areas of the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal, which have a cooler climate with cold winters and mild summers.

FERTILISATION PROCESS