What you need to know about watering cabbage seedlings after planting them in the ground?
Cabbage grows in almost every vegetable garden. Some farmers buy ready-made seedlings and plant them in the garden, and those who have free time and space grow them on their own. However, in order to get strong heads of cabbage, it is not enough just to plant cabbage bushes. A good result can be obtained only by observing the rules of caring for growing seedlings.
One of the basic maintenance requirements is knowing how to water the cabbage after planting it in the ground. This vegetable loves moisture very much, and crispy juicy heads are possible only with proper and timely care.
What do you need to know before going out with a watering can on a cabbage bed? You need to pay attention to the following points:
- water temperature and quality;
- watering frequency and time;
- hilling seedlings;
- when to stop watering.
Water temperature and quality
Regardless of which variety of cabbage is grown, for watering seedlings in the open field, you should use:
- Standing water. Direct water supply from a well or water supply is not allowed.
- Heated water. The most suitable water temperature is between 18 and 23 degrees Celsius.
Such requirements are due to the fact that cold water has a detrimental effect on seedlings, as well as on adult bushes. As a result of watering from the tap, there is a risk of being left without a crop at all. Cold water provokes the appearance of various diseases, as a result of which immature seedlings die. In addition, the forks themselves are tied very weak, or they will not be at all. The water temperature below 12 degrees is critical and leads to the death of cabbage.
Experienced gardeners advise using black containers for natural heating of water.
Watering frequency and timing
The first two weeks after planting seedlings in the garden, it must be watered after 2 days, using for 1 sq. m. about 4 liters of water. Then the number of waterings can be reduced to twice a week, but the amount of liquid can be increased to 12 liters. These are general guidelines, however, the frequency of watering should be determined depending on the regional climate and existing environmental conditions.
During drought, the frequency of watering should be doubled. But it is worth being careful - from an excess of moisture, the heads of cabbage become loose and crack.
The best time to water is morning or evening when the sun is not active.
Hilling seedlings
After each watering, the soil under the bush must be loosened so that a crust does not form. At the same time, the seedlings must be spud until the rosettes of the leaves are closed:
- for early varieties one hilling is enough;
- for the later ones, it will take up to 3 hilling.
When to stop watering?
So that the cabbage does not lose its qualities and is well stored, watering should be stopped before harvesting:
- early varieties - 3 weeks before heading out;
- medium and late varieties - per month.