To bring variety to the vegetable patch, the versatile Chinese cabbage is simply perfect and a good neighbor for spinach, carrots and various salads. We show how the mild type of cabbage can be preferred in early summer.
Can you prefer Chinese cabbage?
Like many other vegetables, Chinese cabbage, which is becoming increasingly popular in Europe, isvery suitable for growing. The right time for this is early to mid-June. However, bringing it forward is not absolutely necessary.
How do you prefer Chinese cabbage?
Chinese cabbage is preferredin small pots. It's best to follow our step-by-step instructions:
- Fill the pots with soil.
- Sow the Chinese cabbage seeds about two cm deep into the soil and press them in.
- Place the pots on the warm windowsill or alternatively in the greenhouse.
Our tip: prefer Chinese cabbage together with lamb's lettuce - both can be transplanted outdoors in a mixed culture after germination.
Which soil is best for growing Chinese cabbage?
For growing Chinese cabbage on the windowsill, aspecial potting soil is ideal. In contrast to conventional garden soil, this is germ-free and supports the seeds in developing into strong young plants with sufficiently strong roots.
How long does it take to grow Chinese cabbage?
After justjust over a week the Chinese cabbage seeds germinate. So that they are strong enough to be able to move outdoors into loose, humus-rich soil without waterlogging, they should remain on the windowsill or in the greenhouse for about a month.
When should early Chinese cabbage be planted outdoors?
Premature Chinese cabbage shouldnot be planted outdoors before the end of July. If this happens earlier in the year, there is a risk that the Chinese cabbage will produce flowers instead of the desired edible leaves due to the long exposure to sunlight of twelve hours per day. Only when the days get shorter again will early Chinese cabbage become “boltproof” and will no longer bloom.
What should you consider when transplanting early Chinese cabbage?
If the Chinese cabbage is moved outdoors, perhaps together with good bed neighbors, thesoil should be enriched with compost. A partially shaded to sunny location that is definitely protected from the wind is ideal for Chinese cabbage, which is very frost-tolerant up to a certain temperature.
Which types of Chinese cabbage are best for growing?
all varieties of Chinese cabbage are suitable for growing. However, there is the “Kaito” variety, which is not grown in June like all the others and is planted outdoors at the end of July. It is considered extremely bolt-proof and can be grown in February and planted in the bed as soon as the seedlings are strong enough
Tip
Sowing directly into the garden bed as an alternative
If you only decide in midsummer that you want to grow Chinese cabbage or don't want to grow it, you can sow the seeds of Chinese cabbage, whose botanical name is Brassica rapa, directly outdoors. The right time for sowing is July and August.
