How to grow savoy cabbage outdoors

In terms of popularity among gardeners, Savoy cabbage is much “losing” to white cabbage, although in all respects it is a serious “competitor” to it. Among its advantages are not only the original appearance and outstanding taste, but also the general unpretentiousness in care, cold resistance, good immunity. Growing Savoy cabbage in the open field is within the power of even not particularly experienced gardeners. Although there are certain nuances of agricultural technology and important points in preparation, which are recommended to be studied in advance.

When to Plant Savoy Cabbage Outdoors

Cultivation is possible both by sowing seeds directly into the garden, and with preliminary cultivation of seedlings at home. The first option is practiced if the climate in the region allows: in Our Country, it suits gardeners in the North Caucasus, the Black Sea region, the Crimea, Kuban, and the south of the Volga region.

Seedlings

When grown in open ground by seedlings, seedlings of early and mid-early Savoy cabbage are transferred to the garden at the age of 45-50 days. Mid- and late-ripening varieties or hybrids are planted a little earlier – after 35-45 days from the moment of seed germination.

Accordingly, the sowing time for seedlings varies depending on the length of the growing season:

• early – the second decade of March;
• mid-season – the last days of March or the very beginning of April;
• late – the first decade of April.

Mature seedlings have 5-6 true leaves.

Seeds

When sown outdoors, Savoy cabbage seeds survive and germinate at temperatures as low as 3-5°C. However, for normal development, they need higher rates – 15-20 ° C.

In the south of Our Country, the air warms up sufficiently by about mid-April. Accordingly, the sowing of seeds falls on the second decade of this month. However, you can start growing a little earlier if you can cover the bed with black plastic wrap.

It takes 6-14 days for seedlings to emerge from seeds when sown immediately on the garden bed.

How to grow savoy cabbage outdoors from seeds

Growing Savoy cabbage from seeds in the open field generally follows the same algorithm as for the “classic” white cabbage. But there are important nuances that need to be studied and taken into account in order for the culture to “show itself” in the best possible way.

Site selection and preparation

When grown outdoors, the place where Savoy cabbage can be planted is chosen taking into account the “requirements” of the culture:

1. Good illumination. Savoy cabbage needs bright but diffused light; it does not tolerate direct sunlight very well. Best of all for its cultivation in the open field, a place on the slope of a gentle hill, oriented to the south or southeast, is suitable.
2. The presence of a “barrier” at some distance that does not create a shadow and does not interfere with aeration, but provides protection from strong winds and cold drafts.
3. Quite fertile, but at the same time loose substrate. “Heavy” clay and peaty, very “poor” sandy soils should be avoided.
4. Neutral or close to this pH (6.5-7.0). When grown in an alkaline substrate, plants simply “refuse” to develop and form heads, while growing in an acidic substrate, clubroot infection is almost inevitable.
5. Lack of groundwater coming up to a meter or closer to the soil surface. When growing Savoy cabbage in open ground, stagnant water at the roots is unacceptable, this provokes the development of rot. For the same reason, lowlands and areas at the foot of hills, where rainwater and damp air stagnate for a long time, are not suitable for it.
6. Compliance with the rules of crop rotation. After other plants from the Cruciferous family, the cultivation of Savoy cabbage in the open field is permissible after 3-5 years. Suitable “predecessors” would be Legumes, Pumpkin, Nightshade (except tomatoes), spicy greens, onions and garlic.

With a lack of light, heads of cabbage will not be tied

The main part of the work on the preparation of the site falls on the autumn of the last season. It needs to be dug up, at the same time getting rid of any debris, especially vegetable. In the process, the soil is “enriched” with humus or rotted compost (5-7 l / m²) and complex fertilizer is applied – universal or specially for cabbage (25-40 g / m²).

It is desirable to use biofungicides to treat seeds before sowing, but this is not a requirement.

Seed preparation

Before sowing seeds of Savoy cabbage in open ground, they are prepared in several stages:

1. visual inspection. It is better to immediately reject “suspicious” seeds, the appearance, shape or color of which clearly deviate from the norm.
2. Germination test. To find out which seeds are suitable for growing, they are soaked in saline. “Empty” specimens without a germ are lighter, so they remain on the surface, and “full” specimens “go to the bottom” after a quarter of an hour.
3. Disinfection. It is necessary for the prevention of fungal diseases when growing Savoy cabbage in open ground. Seeds are “pickled” in a solution of any fungicide. There are also folk remedies for disinfection – a solution of potassium permanganate (light pink hue), baking soda (1 tablespoon per liter of water), iodine (10 drops per liter).
4. Biostimulation. Improves seed germination, stimulates the development of Savoy cabbage seedlings. In the future, such processing has a positive effect on the overall yield and quality of heads of cabbage. A comparable effect is given by both purchased drugs (Epin, Zircon, Heteroauxin) and folk remedies.
5. hardening. Not a mandatory step, but such a procedure also has a positive effect on seed germination. First, they are dipped in hot (45-50 ° C) water for 15-20 minutes, then put in the refrigerator for a day.

Sowing scheme

The gaps between adjacent plants and the row spacing is determined based on the dimensions of adult rosettes. But you can also focus on the “average” intervals for varieties, taking into account the aging time:

• rannie – 40*50 cm;
• mid-season – 50 * 60 cm;
• late – 60 * 70 cm.

Usually the planting pattern is recommended by the manufacturer on the package with seeds.

Aftercare

Despite the opinion of many gardeners, Savoy cabbage is quite unpretentious in its care. She does not need any “additional” agrotechnical measures in comparison with the white head.

Watering

Savoy cabbage is moisture-loving, but categorically does not tolerate “swamps” in the garden when grown in open ground. Until seedlings emerge, the substrate must be constantly maintained in a moderately moist state, not allowing it to dry out. Seedlings are watered often (every 2-3 days), but little by little.

When the savoy cabbage reaches the size of an adult seedling (height 15-17 cm and 5-6 true leaves), you can switch to weekly watering. At the same time, the “norm” is increased to 13-15 l / m² of beds from 4-5 l / m².

Any method of watering is suitable. The main thing is that water does not get on the leaves and especially in the center of the outlet. Otherwise, the development of rot or bacteriosis is almost inevitable.

When growing outdoors, the intervals between waterings must be adjusted according to the weather.

Feeding

For early and mid-early varieties or hybrids, two top dressings per season are enough. For mid-season, their number increases to three, for mid-late and late – up to four.

The fertilizer application scheme looks like this:

1. 12-15 days after seed germination – nitrogen. It is advisable to use purchased mineral fertilizers, and not natural organics. The latter can easily “burn” the roots of seedlings.
2. Three weeks later, when the head begins to form. Here, sockets need complex fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium, with a minimum of nitrogen. Both universal top dressings and specialized ones are suitable. You can also use natural organic matter.
3. After 2-2,5 weeks and in the second decade of August. For the formation of heads of medium-late and late varieties of Savoy cabbage when grown in open ground, phosphorus and potassium are needed. Nitrogen in fertilizers must be avoided, otherwise nitrates will accumulate in the leaves.

Plants need nitrogen only in the early stages of development.

Treatment of diseases and pests

The immunity and overall hardiness of savoy cabbage is relatively good compared to many other varieties. She also does not have any specific diseases and pests.

Therefore, to prevent the development of pathogenic microflora, it is often enough to treat seeds with fungicides before planting. If, when growing in open ground, the weather favorable for the activation of fungi is established for a long time, folk remedies or preparations of biological origin are used with an interval of 7-15 days.

They do the same to protect Savoy cabbage from pests. When their massive “raid” on neighboring beds is noted, folk remedies, as well as universal or specialized insecticides or other preparations, must be used to “preventively” repel insects.

Prevention against diseases and pests during the entire period of cultivation in open ground Savoy cabbage is not required

Conclusion

Growing Savoy cabbage in the open field is practiced both by seedlings and by direct sowing of seeds in the garden. Both options are not difficult, but if there is a choice, gardeners prefer the second – it requires less time and effort. To obtain the maximum possible yields, it is necessary to choose the right place for the beds, prepare the soil and seeds, follow the planting pattern and provide the crop with quality care during the season.