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Sweet, crunchy, sour and spicy - these are all characteristics of one vegetable that has been immensely popular in Russia since the days of Kievan Rus. After all, it is about the dishes made from cabbage that the proverb has developed: “You’re not ashamed to serve it, and if you eat it, you don’t mind.
Cabbage is an absolutely versatile vegetable that is indispensable both in the daily menu and in the preparation of countless holiday pickles. Moreover, it can actually cure such complex diseases as stomach ulcers and gastritis. Since ancient times, the cultivation of cabbage in Russia was accompanied by many rituals, in particular, only women, girls and girls were allowed to sow and plant this vegetable. There was a belief that if representatives of the male part of the population participate in the sowing of cabbage, then it will not bear fruit. Of course, many of these customs and traditions are already outdated, but some can still be used to this day, for example, signs and special days associated with sowing and planting cabbage for seedlings.
And at present, gardeners often use the lunar calendar to choose the days that are most suitable for sowing this most useful vegetable. All this will be discussed in this article. But first, you need to get acquainted with its main characteristics.
Different types of cabbage and their features
First of all, it should be noted that there are many varieties of cabbage.
Red cabbage
It is very similar in terms of growing conditions to its white-headed relative, but is much less widespread. Although, due to its unique properties, it deserves to be settled in the garden. It contains much more carotene and cyanidin, which regulate the activity of the heart and blood vessels and are powerful antioxidants. It suffers from drought less than white cabbage, but makes increased demands on soil fertility. Very tasty pickles and pickled preparations are obtained from it.
Savoy cabbage
It is the most drought-resistant and at the same time frost-resistant of all types of cabbage. It is characterized by bubbly corrugated leaves and a rather loose head of cabbage. More demanding for feeding, even compared to white cabbage. But less other species are exposed to diseases and pests.
It has several varieties: early and late varieties are distinguished according to the ripening period. You cannot ferment this cabbage, but it is actively used for the preparation of second and first courses, as well as in salads. Especially useful for children and the elderly.
Brussels sprouts
A plant with a very original appearance, when many small heads of cabbage form on a rather thin and long cylindrical stem in the leaf axils. This species is quite resistant to low temperatures, easily tolerates frosts down to -7 ° C.
The growing season is comparable to the average varieties of cabbage, that is, it is sown at approximately the same time. Heads of cabbage are often used for canning and freezing.
Cauliflower
In this cabbage, original in appearance, modified inflorescences are eaten, which can reach significant sizes - from 10 to 25 cm.The root system is superficial and not as well developed as in other species. This variety has the highest demands on growing conditions. It is much more thermophilic than the others, the most demanding on soil fertility. It is especially picky about lighting conditions during the seedling period - it grows best with an average daylight.
Broccoli
It is also called asparagus, although it is rather the closest relative of cauliflower. The culture is distinguished by a high ability to repair - that is, after cutting off the apical inflorescence, additional small heads appear in the axils of the lower leaves. This increases its yield. Broccoli is much more resistant to cold than colored broccoli, withstands frosts down to -7 ° C, not so demanding on soil fertility, but more sensitive to lack of moisture. It is even more early maturing than the colored one, so it is often grown several times per season, including in a seedless way.
Kohlrabi cabbage
One of the earliest ripening types of cabbage - often ripens 2 months after sowing. Despite the general unpretentiousness of growing, it is quite sensitive to low temperatures. Contains the largest amount of vitamin C and other elements of all varieties. Can be sown until early July and grown in a seedless way.
Calculation of the timing of sowing seeds for seedlings
Even among many varieties of white cabbage, there are three groups that differ in their characteristics:
- Early
- Average
- Late.
Early varieties (growing season from 70 to 110 days) differ in their small size, loose heads of cabbage, their yield is small - but they can be eaten in June.
Medium varieties (growing season 111-145 days) are usually ideal for pickling and fermentation and, of course, for consumption during the summer period.
Late varieties (growing season 146 days or more) are best stored, therefore, suitable for winter use. These varieties also make good sauerkraut... These are usually the most productive varieties.
Variety of cabbage | Vegetation period (days) | Seedling age at the time of disembarkation (days) |
|---|---|---|
Early head | 70-110 | 45-60 |
Medium headed | 111-145 | 35-45 |
Late head | More than 146 | 30-35 |
Savoy | 108-142 | 35-45 |
Brussels | 120-150 | 45-50 |
Color | 100-150 | 40-45 |
Broccoli | 65-80 | 35-45 |
Kohlrabi | 60-70 | 30-35 |
As can be seen from the above table, the age of later cabbage varieties at planting can be half that of the earlier ones. Therefore, if you plant seedlings in the ground at approximately the same time, it is clear that for early varieties, the timing when can you sow cabbage for seedlings will be very different.
Planting cabbage seedlings in the ground it is accepted when the land is already ripe enough for the plants to grow quickly immediately after planting. At the same time, the average air temperature usually exceeds the mark of + 10 ° С- + 12 ° С. In different regions of Russia, these terms can, of course, vary greatly. In the conditions of the middle zone, it is customary to do this during May, sometimes from the end of April, if the spring is early and warm.
Nevertheless, if you have the opportunity to protect the plants with a covering material, then you can plant it at an earlier date.
Therefore, the following dates are optimal for sowing seeds of various types of cabbage in the middle lane.
For the southern regions of Russia, all terms will accordingly be shifted by a month and a half earlier than those indicated in the table. For the regions of the Urals and Siberia, on the contrary, the dates can be shifted by several weeks at a later time. Using all the above data, it is easy to create your own sowing calendar for different types of cabbage for 2021.
Using the lunar calendar
To determine more accurately the days when you can sow cabbage for seedlings, it is advisable to use the lunar calendar. After all, there are days when sowing cabbage, and any other crops, is simply contraindicated, and by sowing within these periods, you can be left without a harvest at all. To prevent this from happening, you need to find out when you can sow cabbage according to the lunar calendar.
The fact is that the moon has four main phases:
- New Moon (lasts three days);
- Waxing moon (lasts from the end of the new moon to the full moon);
- Full Moon (lasts three days);
- Waning moon (lasts from the end of the full moon to the new moon).
The period of the new moon, as well as the full moon, captures one day before and after the most specific date specified in the calendar.
It should be well understood that the periods of the new moon and full moon are completely unsuitable for sowing, transplanting and, in general, any actions with plants. At these moments, all living things seem to freeze and prepare for the change of period.
It is strictly not recommended to plan any work with plants for these six days in each month. These days are the most important and you can always recognize them in any 2021 lunar calendar.
It was also noticed that during the waxing moon it is very good to work with all plants, the fruits of which grow above the earth's surface. Conversely, for all work with root crops growing in the ground, the time of the waning moon is great. From this we can conclude that, and planting cabbage for seedlings, and planting it in the ground is desirable during the growing moon.
There are also the so-called days when the moon passes through different signs of the zodiac. Here it is advisable to remember only that the days when the moon is in the signs of Leo, Aquarius, Sagittarius, Aries and Gemini are considered unproductive. These days, cabbage for seedlings according to the lunar calendar is usually not sown.
All other days are more or less suitable for sowing cabbage.
Folk omens and holidays
Cabbage is such a favorite culture that the Slavic peoples have long developed a variety of signs that allow them to determine the timing of when to plant cabbage.
The first such holiday is Arina (Irina) - a hotbed, which is celebrated on April 29 (April 16 according to the old style). This holiday is dedicated to the three Thessalonian sisters - the martyrs Agapia, Chiona and Irina. On this day, it was customary to plant cabbage for seedlings, as well as sow seeds in the ground under shelters.
It is interesting that in the national calendar there is a second Irina the nursery. This day, celebrated on May 18 (May 5, old style), is called - Irina - cabbage. It is celebrated in honor of Irina the Great and got its name from the fact that from that day in Russia it was customary to plant cabbage seedlings in open ground.
There is another holiday associated with sowing vegetables in general, and cabbage in particular. May 16 celebrate the feast of Martha the nursery.The day is considered favorable for planting many vegetables, both seeds and seedlings.
The timing of sowing and planting cabbage has long been associated with the growth and flowering of wild herbs and trees. And these observations may well help modern gardeners, since wild plants have adapted well to weather conditions and often know much better than people what the state of the soil is and whether it is ready to accept seedlings.
The following are basic tips that can help you navigate when planting seedlings:
- If the leaves on the birch reach the size of a small coin, you can plant seedlings of white varieties.
- If daffodils have bloomed, it's time to plant early seedlings and cauliflower in open ground.
- If irises have bloomed, you can plant seedlings of Brussels sprouts in the ground.
If you use all the above information, it turns out that there will not be so many days for sowing and planting cabbage. But on the other hand, following all these tips, and be sure to comply with all the basic agronomic requirements, you can definitely be sure that the heads of cabbage will grow large, dense, juicy and tasty.
