CABBAGE Growers Guide

Cabbage in south africa is one of the hardest but most rewarding crops, with high competition yet massive market potential

1. Finance

   Cabbage costs about R6.00/head to produce, with budgets around R150,000/hectare. Don’t spend all capital at once — if you have R1M, invest half over 12 weeks planting weekly or biweekly. This way, if markets dip, you can replant and recover.

2. Soil

   Start Here
   Soil testing is essential before planting cabbage.
   - sample costs R100–R500 depending on location crop cost 150k/hectare.
   - Check pH and organic matter.
   - Cabbage tolerates pH as low as 4.3, but quality drops.
   
   Aim for Ideal pH
   Recommended range: 5.5–7.0.
   - Avoid acid saturation.
   - Apply lime to raise pH.
   - Work lime into soil before planting.
   
   Use MAP Fertilizer
   High-acid soils hold onto MAP (phosphorus).
   - Apply 200 kg/ha MAP.
   - Place at the base of plants for phosphorus uptake.
   - Be cautious: MAP can burn seedlings if not managed properly.
   
   Alternative Lime Application
   Safety notes:
   - Direct lime at the base can help but is risky.
   - A handful of lime in the planting hole improves local pH.
   - Better practice: apply lime broadly and incorporate.
   - Combine with MAP for balanced nutrition.

3. Inputs

   🌱 Fertilizer Program
   
   Base: Work in 800 kg 2:3:4 (30) per hectare, adjusted to soil sample corrections.
   
   Week 2: Apply 300 kg LAN, irrigate in.
   
   Week 4: Apply 300 kg 5:1:5 (30).
   
   Coke Lid Method: 2 lids (~12g) per plant = ~25000 plants/ha. Promotes fast, big growth.
   
   Transplant Shock: Use products like BioForge/BioAge at planting.
   
   Timing: All fertilizer must be in by week 4–5.
   
   📌 Tip: If your setup is correct, you’ll know your yield from day one.

4. Best growth practice

   Spacing & Growth Practice
   
   Plant at 55 cm spacing, 3 rows then a 75 cm skip row.
   
   Irrigate 10–20 mm per week, increasing as plants grow.
   
   Choose the right cultivar for the season.
   
   Scout weekly: check deep under leaves for worms and aphids

5. Major disease & pest

   🐛 Diseases & Disorders
   
   Aphids (DBM): Cause red discoloration. Infection starts early but shows later. Spray aphids early to prevent damage.
   
   Alternaria (fungus): Appears in warmer seasons. Infects from the inner base, rots heads, and reduces field holding ability. Pick early in summer or risk losing the crop.
   
   Black Rot: V-shaped lesions spread quickly. If infection starts early, control is difficult. Harvest early to reduce losses.
   
   J-rooting: Not a disease but causes severe stunting. Ensure proper transplanting to avoid this issue.

6. Harvesting

   🚚 Harvest & Marketing
   
   Six staff can cut and load an 8‑ton truck in about six hours. For big jobs, line up customers before cutting. In summer, harvest quickly; in winter there’s less pressure. Aim for 75% pickout with big heads.

7. Markets

   Markets
   
   Cabbage sells loose to shops and hawkers, or in bags for feeding programs. Loose sales bring more money, while bags are a good clean‑up option. The market can

8. Planting windows by region

   Planting Windows & Irrigation
   
   Do not grow non‑irrigated cabbage — the risk is too expensive. Cabbage heads better in winter than summer, so the best planting windows are February or July. Winter crops take longer (up to 18 weeks) but demand is higher. Summer crops mature faster (around 12 weeks).

Informational only — not agronomic advice. Confirm rates, chemicals, and programmes with your local reps and product labels before use.