Article by :- Purnima Dubey
Introduction
One of the most widely grown winter crops in the world is cabbage. The compact, globular head of this small, leafy biennial vegetable is made up of overlapping smooth or crinkled leaves. "Is cabbage a winter crop?" is a question that farmers frequently ask. Yes, cabbage does grow very well in cold, damp weather during the winter.
Cabbages are grown throughout India in areas with temperatures between 15°C and 21°C, which makes them ideal for winter cultivation. A soil pH of 6.0–6.5 is considered optimum. Early crops prefer light soil, while late crops perform better on heavier soils because of improved moisture retention, even though it grows best on sandy to heavy soils that are rich in organic matter.
Optimal Seed Selection
The first step in winter cabbage planting instructions is to select the appropriate variety. Golden Acre, Pride of India, Copenhagen Market, Pusa Mukta, Pusa Synthetic, September Early, Midseason Market, Early Drum Head, Late Large Drum Head, and K-1 are some of the well-liked types.
Ideal Time for Sowing
When should I plant cabbage for the fall harvest? The region and variety will determine this. Early cabbage is best sown from April to August in hilly areas, and from July to November in plains. In most parts of India, October is a great month to plant winter cabbage because it ensures a healthy crop for the winter.
Best Practices in Planting
Field preparation is crucial for winter cabbage planting instructions. The soil should be ploughed four to five times until fine tilth is achieved. Transplanting can be done on flat land, ridges, or furrows depending on climate and soil conditions:
● Early varieties: 45 × 45 cm or 60 × 30 cm spacing
● Mid-season varieties: 60 × 45 cm
● Late varieties: 60 × 60 cm or 75 × 60 cm
Transplanting is best done in the morning or late evening to avoid stress. In saline soils, furrow planting is preferred, while in dry regions, flat-bed transplanting is recommended.
Nutrient Management
Applying 15–20 tonnes of well-decomposed FYM approximately 4 weeks prior to transplanting is crucial for a successful winter cabbage harvest. For the best yield, farmers should also apply 80–120 kg N, 60–100 kg P₂O₅, and 60–120 kg K₂O. At transplanting, half of the nitrogen dose, along with all of the phosphorus and potassium, is administered; the remaining nitrogen is top-dressed six weeks later.
Efficient Irrigation Practices
Water management is key in cabbage farming in winter. The first irrigation is done immediately after transplanting, followed by irrigation every 10–15 days depending on soil moisture.
Using digital technologies like Krishiverse makes irrigation much easier. With its smart services, farmers can track soil moisture, set multiple timers, and even control irrigation from their homes. This ensures timely watering and prevents problems like head splitting during maturity.
The crop is ready for winter cabbage harvest within 90–120 days.Harvesting should be done when the heads are firm and mature. Early harvest results in soft heads with poor shelf life, while delayed harvest leads to splitting and higher disease incidence.Always keep harvested produce in shade before packing to extend freshness.
Conclusion
To sum up, is cabbage a winter vegetable? Absolutely! Following proper winter cabbage planting instructions from seed selection to harvesting ensures high yield and profit. With the right care and smart irrigation tools like Krishiverse, cabbage farmers can achieve consistent success in the winter cabbage harvest season.