The top African countries producing cabbage are Angola, Egypt, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa and Rwanda. The main variety grown commercially in Kenya is the hybrid cabbage Gloria F1. Most of the fresh cabbages eaten in Nairobi is grown in Nyandarua, but other top cabbage growing counties include; Trans Nzoia ,Nandi, Uasin Gishu ,Bungoma, Molo ,Elburgon , Njambini, Meru, Nyeri, and Nyahururu, Elgeyo Marakwet.

Nursery preparation for cabbages

If you are not using planting mediums such as seedling trays you need to prepare a nursery with proper soil composition for you to have 100percent germination and have success with the seedlings.

A loam soil is generally preferred as it possesses water retention and nutrient capability. Try to have the soil and proper decomposed cow or sheep manure or organic mater at the rate of 50% by 50%. Manure with high ammonium levels such as that of chicken waste should be avoided as this would only lead to poor germination due to scorching. With a nursery generally you should have;

• Proper soil composition and to a fine tilth, 100grams of cabbages are enough for 1 acre since the pack contains almost up to 15,000 seedlings.
• The nursery bed should be raised up almost 30cm and 1m width and at least a foot should be left in between beds.
• sowing lines of about 3cm in depth, 10 to 15cm apart. The lines need not reach at the edges of the nursery beds to prevent erosion.
• Place your seeds in the lines. Avoid congestion of seeds as it will only lead to non-uniformity and fungal infections.
• Slightly cover your seeds with light soil, then use dry grass, nets or gunny (sisal) bags to cover the nursery bed.
• Watering the nursery gently. Watering should preferably be done in the morning and not excessively. watering excessively leads to diseases such as dumping off.
• The nurseries should be uncovered maybe after 1 week, then shade can be placed of 1 m above to protect young seedlings from heavy rains or hot sun. if you don’t uncover the seedlings may develop weak tall stems that can be damaged by heavy rains.
• Use an appropriate combination of fungicide insecticide to protect your seedlings against pests and diseases at an interval of about 7-10days. Weeding by uprooting is done until a period of 4 to 6 weeks when your seedlings are ready

Seedlings raised on planting mediums on greenhouses needs Optimum temperatures for seed germination of 25-30°. Germination trays having coco peat planting media are used. The coco peat has to be properly treated by washing for good germination rating. Cabbages seeds propagated on germination trays have 100% germination rating and get ready earlier from 25 days compared to soil.

Transplanting of cabbages

Gloria F1 cabbage Seedlings are ready for transplanting after 4-6 weeks in the nursery, depending on temperatures, Wet the seedlings an hour before transplanting either in the evening or early morning.

Planting to the same depth  as in the nursery 15cm with spacing of 60cm by 60cm. 10,000 cabbage heads are enough for 1acre. DAP is applied at the rate of 80kg per acre, the actual rate may depend on results of soil analysis. Manure application at 1 handful to 2 per hole.

The land to be transplanted should be well prepared and free from weeds

Nutrition and irrigation of cabbages

During transplanting Fertilizer (DAP) is applied at the rate of 80 kg/acre 10 g/hole or 2 bottle tops/hole. Manure application is 8 tons/acre or (2–3 handfuls/hole).

Cabbage can be top-dressed twice first is 1 month after transplanting and 2nd month after transplanting. 100kg of CAN is used per acre and second topdressing 200kg per acre can be used, alternatively well balanced foliar fertilizer can be used for cabbages.

Cabbages can be irrigated by moveable spray lines, drip lines, if the soil is suitable and water available, flood irrigation might be more productive. Cabbages grown in beds will require more irrigation than those grown on the flat area sprinkler irrigation is mostly used. Cabbage requires regular, consistent irrigation to develop properly, form firm heads and produce high-quality heads.

Pest and Diseases management for cabbages

Hybrid cabbages such as gloria are resistant to some diseases but the range of pests and diseases that can significantly impact their yield include;

Pests include the African diamondback moth, which causes extensive damage to cabbage leaves, and the cabbage white butterfly, whose larvae feed on the foliage. Aphids can transmit diseases and stunt plant growth.

Diseases such as bacterial wilt, caused by and fungal infections like downy mildew and black rot, caused by Xanthomonas campestris, are prevalent. Powdery mildew and damping-off, a fungal disease affecting seedlings, also pose threats.

Integrated pest and disease management strategies are crucial to mitigate these issues and ensure healthy cabbages.

Weeds control cabbages

Optimal and commercial production of cabbages depend on successful weed control. Weeds reduce yields by direct competition for nutrients, water, and light. They also harbor pests and diseases

Weed control is required early in the season when weed competition can substantially reduce vigor, uniformity, and overall yield. Manual weeding can be done or for large ares that are not economically viable for manual control, pre-emergence herbicide 2-3 days before transplanting can be used to control weeds in cabbages.

Harvesting and marketing of cabbages

The time for harvesting depends on the variety mostly 3 months or 2.5 months after transplanting, market value and grading is considered before harvesting and marketing. Profitability will depend on your marketing strategy some skilled farmers make hefty profits while others end up with loses.

Cabbage farmers in Kenya count losses due to unpredictable weather patterns, climate change and unaffordable cost of farm inputs. The biggest problem with small scale cabbage farmers is they lack means and logistics to markets while brokers understand market trends and have proper logistics.

There are some brokers who export over 2000heads of cabbages every month to Mogadishu making 8times more profit than a local cabbage farmer. Understanding the market trends, Spacing planting time so that you can harvest all seasons is the perfect way to make money with cabbage farming. If you are looking for cabbage seedlings talk to us here