CABBAGE FARMING

Cabbage is one of the oldest known vegetable and it belongs to the Brassica family. During the Middle Ages, the inexpensiveness and health benefits of cabbage earned it the nickname “Drug of the poor”. The consumption of cabbage comes with many health benefits which include;
⦁ Improved Digestion: Due to the fiber and water content in cabbage, it helps prevents constipation and main a healthy digestive tract.
⦁ Immune Booster: Cabbage is an excellent source of Vitamin C which is important for maintaining a strong immune system.
⦁ Improves Brain Health: The purple variety of cabbage particularly contains Vitamin K and the antioxidant anthocyanin which boost mental functions and concentration.
⦁ Reduces Inflammation: Due to its Glutamine and Amino Acid content, cabbage is considered a strong anti-inflammatory agent, helping to reduce joint pains, arthritis, and ease allergies.
⦁ Reduces Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke: Nearly twenty different flavonoids and fifteen different phenols has been identified by Researchers. These antioxidants play a key role in decreasing several cardiovascular diseases and many more.
It is therefore not surprising how lucrative cabbage farming is. Cabbages can be grown anywhere but usually grows well in moist climate conditions. Commercially, it is grown in the Southern part of Ghana specifically Akwapim and Kwahu areas. Let’s discuss the steps in growing cabbage;
⦁ Preparing the farmland
For any crop to blossom, it needs to be grown on a prepared farmland. Clearing the land from weeds, loosening the soil, using tractors on a larger scale or shovel on a small scale and preparing the bedding are few ways of getting our farmlands ready for crop production. Cabbages can be grown in any soil but can be grown best on soil with good compost.
⦁ Planting the cabbages
Dig a hole of 2-3cm and insert 2 seeds and cover tightly. In raising the seedlings, nursery bags, or sack bags can be used. After 3-4 weeks, transfers the seedlings to the main field you intend to gown your cabbages on. At this point, the cabbages should be 14-16cm high or showing 4-5 leaves.
Cabbages should be spaced 45cm apart and the rows 45-60cm apart, however the spacing of your cabbages would also depend on the variety being planted.
Early cabbage takes 50-70 days, mid-season cabbage takes 70-90 days while late season takes 90-125 days.
⦁ Irrigation
Regular irrigation is required as cabbage required 3.8cm of water on a weekly basis. During intense heat, water them morning and evening as cabbage cannot withstand drought. But some days can be selected for watering during rainy days unless it rains every day. In order to prevent botching, you stop watering them once the plants mature, instead, you use compost to mulch the farm to avoid excessive loss of water and to keep the soil moist.
⦁ Harvesting
Cabbages are harvested in about 2-5 months after its grown. They are handpicked when they mature for it to stay longer in storage. Depending on the variety, 70-80 tonnes can be harvested per hectare can be harvested if all agro economic conditions were fully met. Cut the head of the base of the plant using a knife and leave about three leaves to protect head from bruising, scratches or damage.

Contact Greenroot Farm Estate for your Farming Business Plan, Funding and Agricultural Advisory service for your Cabbage Farming Business .
We have litigation free lands for sale and lease that come with free indenture and site plan.