Cabbage Farming: Grow to Sell

Cabbage is a member of the Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) family which includes crops such as Kale, Cauliflower, Broccoli and Radish.

Cabbage Farming Field

There are three main types: Green, Red and Savoy. One of the most widely grown, popular and nutritious vegetables in Kenya mainly for the domestic market grown by both small and medium scale farmers. It contains Calcium, Iron, Vitamin A, C & E, Minerals, Riboflavin, Nicotinamine and Ascorbic Acid.

Cabbage has cleansing effect of stomach and intestinal tract if consumed raw without salt due to high sulfur and chlorine content.

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Varieties Grown in Kenya

The following are the common varieties grown in Kenya:

1. Gloria F1

This is a medium-late maturing variety ready for harvesting 90 days after transplanting. It has solid blue green color and thick waxy layer. It is not prone to splitting and keeps well after harvesting. It is tolerant to Black Rot and resistant to Fusarium yellows.

A plant spacing of 60 cm by 60 cm is appropriate and has a maturity of 90 days after transplanting (medium-late maturing). Requires a plant population of 11,111 per acre. They have an average head weight 3 - 5 kg. Yields are about 30,000-50,000kg per acre.

2. Copenhagen

 It requires a cool or warm climate. A plant spacing of 60 cm by 45 cm. A plant population of 14,800 per acre is recommended. It has a maturity 65 - 70 days after transplanting (early maturing). It has a small to medium round shape with uniform size weighing 2 - 2.5 kg. Yields are about 20,000-30,000kg per acre.

3. Blue Dynasty F1

It has a good tolerance to Black Rot, Cabbage Ring Spot, Diamond Back Moth (DBM) & Fusarium Yellows. It can do well in warm areas.

Requires a plant spacing of 60 cm by 60 cm and the plant population is 11,111 heads per an acre. It has a maturity of 80 - 85 days after transplanting (medium-late maturing). It has a round compact shape, weighing 4 - 5 kg. Yields about 45,000 - 68,000kg per acre.

4.  Baraka F1

It is a high yielding bluish green round heads weighing 4 - 6 kg with a maturity of 75 days  and has a good field holding capacity. It has high tolerance to Black Rot, Ring Spot and Cabbage Yellows. Yields about 40,000 -50,000kg per acre.

5. Riana F1

Requires a plant Spacing: 60 cm by 60 cm and it has both heat and cold tolerance and has a blue green, white internal color. It is resistant to splitting when irrigated or rain fed and has a maturity of 90-100 days after transplanting. It has a round and compact head, weighing around 1.5-2.5 kg. It is tolerant to Black Rot and Tip Burn and yields about 15,000-30,000kg per acre.

6. Amigo F1

It is tolerant to Black Rot and Diamond Back Moth and has green and semi round heads weighing around 4-6 kg. It requires warm or cool areas. It has a maturity of 90-100 days and yields 45,000-68,000kg per acre.

Other varieties grown in Kenya are Super Master F1, Oxylus, Star 3308 F1, Santa F1, Rotan F1, Field Winner F1, Globe Master Hybrid F1, Queen F1, Fanaka F1, Tristar , Prize Drumhead, Glory of Enkhuizen, Golden Acre, Sugar Loaf, Fortuna, K-Y Cross, Early Market F1.

Other Cabbage Types

1. Red Type

Red Cabbage is just another form within same species and has much in common with Green Cabbage. It has twice as much Vitamin C as Green Cabbage. The red varieties grown in Kenya are Mammoth Red Rock, Red Acre, Red Dynasty, Ruby Ball among others.

2. Savoy Type

Savoy Cabbage has deeply crinkled and ruffled textured leaves. It is milder and tastier than Red and Green Cabbages and has beta-carotene

Optimal Ecological Requirements

Cabbage can be grown in altitudes ranging from 700 - 2,200 m above sea level. At low altitude the crop should be grown during the cool months of the year. Cabbage has a high water requirement and at least 500 mm of rainfall well distributed throughout the growing period is required. Cabbage performs better under cool temperatures and the optimum temperature range for production is 16 - 20 degrees Celsius, above 25 degrees Celsius will hamper head formation. Cabbage requires well drained sandy or silty loams with high organic matter content and high water holding capacity. The optimal soil pH range is 6.0 – 6.5.

Compost

Cabbage, like most leafy vegetables, is a heavy feeder and does well in soils with high organic content. Based on the results of the soil analysis, prepare adequate compost for application. During compost making, the organic matter needs to be covered to prevent leaching of nutrients. The recommended rate of application ranges from 5-8 tons per acre. The manure or compost should be broadcasted then worked into the soil preferably using a hoe and applied 1-2 weeks before transplanting.

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Raising Seedlings

Use certified seed with special attributes such as tolerance or resistance to pest and diseases and high yielding. The seed rate is about 100-120grams per acre depending on variety.

Nursery Site Selection

Avoid setting up the nursery in fields previously having a Cabbage crop.

Nursery Establishment

Prepare a seedbed of 1m width and of a convenient length. Make drills on the seedbed at a spacing of 10-20 cm apart and then thinly sow the seeds in the drills and cover lightly with soil.

Matured Cabbage

Management of Nursery

Water thoroughly after transplanting and regularly however, avoid over-watering which can lead to Damping-off disease. Start hardening the seedlings 1-2 weeks before transplanting by reducing the frequency of watering and the shade over the nursery. Mulching is important to provide favorable environment for seedlings.

Transplanting

Seedlings are transplanted 30 days after seed germination. It is recommended that transplanting should be done either early in the morning or late in the evening. The recommended spacing is 60 cm between rows and 45- 60 cm between plants depending on the variety and plant population of 11,000 – 14,800 plants per acre

Fertilizer Application

Apply 2-3 handfuls of manure per planting hole and 2 half liter water bottle tops (10 g) of DAP per planting hole, that is, 80 kg per acre. DAP should not be applied on acid soils, use DSP, TSP or NPK and only thoroughly decomposed manure should be used to avoid possible introduction of cutworms in the field. The DAP fertilizer should be mixed thoroughly with the soil to avoid possible scorching of the seedlings.

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Water Requirement

The optimal amount of rainfall required for Cabbage during the growing period is 500mm. Regular watering ensures uniform head formation and prevents head splitting and increases the size of the head. Watering should be reduced as crop matures as excessive watering increases water logging hence deficiencies of Magnesium and Phosphorus. Irrigation can be overhead, drip or furrow.

Top Dressing

The crop should be top dressed with CAN fertilizer in 2 splits to avoid nutrient loss through leaching as well as excessive soil salinity. The first split is applied at a rate of 10 g per plant (100 kg/acre) 2 - 3 weeks after transplanting; the second split is applied at a rate of 20 g per plant (200 kg/acre) at the onset of head formation. Placement method is preferred over broadcasting as it is more effective and economical

Pests and Diseases

Pests

Pest damage causes a reduction in quality and quantity of produce. The following are the major pests of Cabbage in Kenya; Diamond Back Moth (DBM), Cabbage Sawfly, Aphids, Slugs and Cutworms.

Management

Intercropping with other crops which act as repellants or trap crops. Use of recommended pesticides. Field hygiene through removal and destruction of crop residue, and also use of natural enemies. Cultural control by drowning the slugs in water (bury tins at ground level and fill with water) and add yeast to attract the slugs or use slug pellets. Hand removal of pests easily found near the damaged plant, especially at the beginning of infestation. Early weeding destroys sites for egg laying. Ploughing also exposes the pest to its predators and desiccation.

Diseases

Disease infection leads to reduction in quality and quantity of produce. The following are the major diseases of Cabbage in Kenya: Damping-off, Bacterial Black Rot, Black Leg, Ring Spot, Alternaria Leaf Spot, Bacterial Soft Rot and Club Root.

Management

Avoid dense sowing which cause damp conditions. Avoid excessive watering and fertilization, particularly with nitrates. Avoid fields with a history of the disease. Practice crop rotation. Use certified disease-free seed. Solarization of seedbed where feasible and use of appropriate fungicide. Use of resistant or tolerant varieties, too. Note that diseased plant parts should not be fed to animals if manure is to be used on fields.

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Harvesting

Maturity period is around 2.5 - 4 months after transplanting depending on the variety and location. Maturity is when the head becomes firm. Harvest the heads before they pass the prime stage to avoid cracking or splitting. Cut heads at the base and leave the outer leaves to protect the head and keeping it fresh. Avoid bruising the head as it encourages rotting. Yields are about 15-68 tons per acre depending on the variety and crop husbandry. Varieties with firm solid heads have good storability.

Cabbage Harvest

Post-Harvest Handling

They should be packed in clean well ventilated containers or crates and transported in covered vehicles. Damaged and diseased heads are then discarded. Cabbages are graded depending on the head size: small (1-2 kg), medium (3-4 kg), large (over 5 kg). 

• Cost per seedling Ksh. 2.5/- (Victoria F1)
• Seedlings per acre: 11, 000-14, 800 per acre
• Spacing: 60cm by 40cm but dependent on variety
• Market price: controlled by market supply and demand
• Yield: 15-68 tons per acre depending on variety
• Common pests: Diamond Back Moth (DBM), Cabbage Sawfly, Aphids, Slugs and Cutworms.
• Common diseases: Damping-off, Bacterial Black Rot, Black Leg, Ring Spot, Alternaria Leaf Spot, Bacterial Soft Rot and Club Root
• Lifespan: Biennial

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does cabbage take to grow in Kenya?
• How many cabbages can you get per acre?
• Which varieties of cabbage are grown in Kenya?
• What are the optimal ecological requirements for cabbage farming?
• What is the maturity period of cabbages?
• How is land and seedbed preparation for cabbage farming?
• How are cabbages harvested?

Contact Richfarm Kenya on 0724698357 or 072321602 for cabbage seedlings.