Chinese Cabbage Makes Unusual Fall Crop

To most of us, "cabbage" instantly signifies a plant used for cole slaw or sauerkraut. However, the word is also often used for other plants with a similar type of growth, such as skunk cabbage, cabbage rose and Chinese cabbage.

With fall gardening time approaching, those who would like to try something different in the garden might want to try Chinese cabbage. Chinese cabbage is best for fall planting in our climate because it is not heat tolerant. When the plant develops in hot weather it is quick to bolt (form flower stalks) and not form heads.

If seeds are planted in July, the plants germinate and produce early growth during hot weather. However, they do not reach a size large enough to allow bolting until after cool fall weather arrives, when they are not longer able to bolt. Chinese cabbage is also somewhat frost tolerant and will survive the first light frosts of fall. Only a hard freeze in late fall can damage it. Seeds of Chinese cabbage should be sown now for a fall crop. Sow the seeds thinly where they are to grow, so later transplanting will not be necessary. To avoid crusting of the soil surface and to help keep soil damp, cover the row with strips of cloth or paper until germination begins.

If this cannot be done, water lightly each day to keep the soil damp and cool at the surface until the seedlings have broken through the soil. After the seedlings have developed some true leaves, thin them to 18 to 24 inches apart in the rows. While Chinese cabbage can be transplanted, there will be no delay in growing. Rapid, uninterrupted growth is important in the fall race against cold weather. Chinese cabbage normally requires from 75 to 85 days from planting until the crop can be harvested.

The most suitable variety for planting in our climate is Michihli which forms a long head up to 18 inches tall. Looseleaved varieties that do not form heads can be used about 45 days after planting however, and is not all flavored like regular cabbage. It is often used raw, chopped in salads or cooked in oriental dishes. Insect control on the young Chinese cabbage plants is important. Because Chinese cabbage is a fairly close relative of our common garden cabbage, it is also a favored food of cabbage worms. These worms can quickly devour the small, tender seedlings.

Leaf damage at this early stage of growth can sufficiently slow the development of plants so they cannot develop properly and form heads before cold weather arrives. Keep close watch for these pests and at the first signs of infestation, spray with insecticides recommended for control of cabbage worms. Because plants in the fall garden are often subjected to a build-up of pests during the summer, insect control in fall is critical.

The fall garden does not have to be restricted to vegetables as unusual as Chinese cabbage. There is still time to plant late crops of other leafy vegetables such as leaf lettuce, spinach, endive, collards and kale. A late seeding of bush green beans may also still have time to produce a last crop for the summer. Root crops may still be planted, and can often be taken directly from the garden up until a hard freeze occurs. Turnips, beets, and radishes can be used in this way.

Oriental Vegetables, by Joy Larkcom.