Commercial Production of Cabbage in Mississippi
Cut cabbage when the heads are firm and when the heads reach a desired size. Leave 3 to 4 wrapper leaves on each head.
Soil
Cabbage crops will grow in a variety of soils. Choose a well-drained soil fairly rich in organic matter. Reduce disease problems by growing cabbage on land that has not produced cabbage or any related crop for 3 to 4 years. Keep the soil's pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Do not plant cabbage in soils treated with substituted urea or sulfanyl or triazine-type herbicides within 1 year of planting.
Varieties
Early Season: Early Round Dutch, Earlimart.Midseason: Market Prize, Gourmet.
Late Season: Rio Verde.
Transplants
If you buy your plants, deal with reputable plant growers and be sure to get the variety or varieties you want. To grow your own transplants, sow 1/4 to 1/2 pound of seed for each acre required. For spring production, sow seed in a cold frame in the latter part of October.
Planting Dates
Approximate planting dates for Mississippi include:
| Spring (set plants) |
Fall (seed) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Counties | Jan. 15 - Jan. 25 | Aug. 15 - Sept. 15 |
| South Central | Jan. 14 - Mar. 1 | Aug. 10 - Sept. 10 |
| Central | Jan. 20 - Mar. 15 | Aug. 5 - Aug. 20 |
| North Central | Feb. 5 - Mar. 20 | Aug. 1 - Aug. 15 |
| North | Feb. 10 - Apr. 1 | July 25 - Aug. 5 |
Spacing
Spacing within the row can affect head sizes of cabbage. Set cabbage plants 9 inches apart (for smaller-headed varieties) and 12 inches apart (for larger-headed varieties) in 36- to 44-inch rows, for 2- to 3-pound heads. For larger heads, increase row spacing.
Bolting
Cabbage transplants that have overwintered may produce a seed stalk (bolt) instead of forming a head. Some varieties are more susceptible to bolting than are other varieties. Chances of bolting are reduced when transplants are grown late in the year and nitrogen application is not excessive.
Fertilizer
Apply fertilizer according to soil test results. Be sure that limestone applications have time to react, preferably 3 months before planting. Adequate boron and calcium must be applied to grow good quality cabbage.
Weed Control
Weeds are more of a problem in fall-planted cabbage. Cabbage roots are shallow and easily damaged by cultivation. When necessary to cultivate for weed control, keep shallow. Herbicides that may be used on cabbage include bensulide (Prefar), DCPA (Dacthal), trifulralin (Treflan), paraquat (Gramoxone), glyphosate (Roundup), and oxyfluorfen (Goal).
Irrigation
An adequate water supply is especially critical during germination, at transplanting, during early growth, and during head formation. Excessive moisture when the head has reached its mature size can cause splitting.
Disease Control
There are numerous cabbage diseases. Disease control depends largely on taking preventative measures, such as crop rotation, disease-free seed or seedlings, and soil drenching. Below are disease symptoms. For treatment, consult the latest issue of "Disease, Insect, and Nematode Control Recommendations for Commercial Vegetables in Mississippi," Extension Publication 554.
| Symptom | Disease |
|---|---|
| Concentric spots on leaves | Alternaria leafspots |
| Heads rot in shipment | Bacterial soft rot |
| Black dots growing into gray areas with black spots | Black Leg |
| Wilted V-shaped areas on leaf; black discoloration inside veins | Black rot |
| Plants yellow and wilt; deformed roots | Club root |
| Seedlings die | Damping-off |
| Yellowish spots on upper side of leaves; gray mold on lower leaves | Downy mildew |
| Powder-like mold on leaves | Powdery mildew |
| Dry rot in stem just below soil level | Wire stem |
| Lower leaves wilt and turn yellow, or reddish color | Yellows |
Insect Control
You must control insects, or cabbage heads will not be marketable. Caterpillars or worms are the most destructive insects and should be controlled while very young. Aphids, cutworms, flea-beetles, and harlequin bugs can also cause problems. For chemicals and rates to use, consult the latest edition of Extension Publication 554. Apply insecticides on a preventative schedule, every 5 to 7 days. Use a spreader-sticker to get good coverage. Observe restrictions on days between last spray application and harvest.
Harvest
Cut cabbage when heads are firm and when the heads reach a desired size. Leave 3 to 4 wrapper leaves on each head. Do not pack any diseased or damaged heads.
Packing
Cabbage may be packed in 50-pound boxes or sacks. Between 17 to 20 heads are usually desired per container.
Storage
Cabbage should be held at 0 ° (32 °F) in a relative humidity of 98 to 100 percent. Do not store cabbage heads with fruit that give off ethylene; this will cause leaf abscission and yellowing.
Yield
Average U.S. yield for fresh-market cabbage is 200 cwt (20,000 pounds) per acre. A good yield is 300 cwt per acre.Costs
| Preharvest | $453 |
| Harvest and postharvest | $637 |
| Total | $1,090 |
|---|
Returns per acre
Cabbage prices vary from 1 3/4 to 30 cents a pound and are among the least stable in vegetable marketing.
The information given here is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended of other products that may also be suitable.
By Dr. David Nagel, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.
Information Sheet
1513
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S.
Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress,
May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director
Copyright by
Mississippi State University. All rights reserved.
This document may be copied and distributed for nonprofit educational
purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University
Extension Service.
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