Whether you started your seeds indoors or bought seedlings from a garden center, you can use these directions for how to transplant cabbage seedlings.
How to Transplant Cabbage Seedlings
Growing cabbage is a great addition to a garden and since it is a cool-weather vegetable, it’s a good one to grow in either Spring or Fall and you can get two harvests a year. Cabbage is also a great beginning gardener plant because it is very easy to grow and tolerates lower temperatures. If you are not buying cabbage seedlings, use these tips on how to start cabbage from seed.
How to Harden Off Your Cabbage Seedlings for Transplant
Transplanting should be done when your plants reach around 3 to 4 inches in height. Before you transplant them, you will need to harden them off. This is a process that gets them ready for the temperatures outdoors. To harden your cabbage seedlings off, simply bring them outdoors, in their tray, in a semi-protected area such as a balcony with sides. You will want to leave it outside for approximately 2-3 hours the first day, then more each day after that until you leave them out overnight. Make sure to do this after the last frost.
How to Transplant Your Cabbage Seedlings
After hardening off your seedlings, you can transplant them into the ground. First, get your soil ready. Cabbage needs lots of nutrients so making sure to mix in some nutrient rich compost is always a good idea. They will also need a sunny, but not hot, area to grow in the open. Optimal temperatures are around 50-60 degrees day temperature.
You will want your plants about 12-24 inches apart. Dig a hole slightly deeper than your seed trays. You will want them to have a good chance at rooting. Moisten the soil (but don’t soak!) that your seedlings are in.
Gently squeeze your trays to have them released from the tray spaces. Bury them into the holes you dug and place soil around to nicely and gently pack them.
Keep your seedlings moist over the course of them growing. Cabbage needs a good amount of water to thrive. If you live in a hot or dry location, you can place mulch around your cabbage plants to help retain moisture.
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