How To Transplant Cabbage From A Seed Bed To A Harvesting Area
To allow your cabbages to grow fully into a tasty plant, it is necessary to transplant them in their youth from the seed bed to a harvesting area. This process also applies to the likes of cauliflower and broccoli.
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Step 1:
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You will need
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Step 2:
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Digging up
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To remove your young vegetables from its seed bed, carefully push the fork in at the side of the plant, and under the roots. Gently pull up on the leaves and lift with the fork (being careful not to damage the plants) until they are free of the ground.
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Step 3:
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Grading
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Grading is simply the act of picking the plants you deem most suitable for transplanting. Pick the healthiest looking plants that are at least 15cms in length, with good strong leaves. Once you have graded, keep your chosen plants in a bucket of water and transfer to the harvesting site.
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Step 4:
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Transplanting
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Measure planting positions at 45cm intervals. Dig a deep hole at each point, and insert a plant. Push in a small amount of soil to just cover the roots, so that the plant is held in place. When you are finished, the lower leaves should just rest on the earth's surface.
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Step 5:
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Puddling
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Before filling in the rest of the hole with soil, pour water into the hole with a watering can, so that it fills up to surface level. This is important for the delicate plant, as it suffers great trauma from loss of water and root damage when transplanted. Push the remaining soil into the hole, so that is filled level with the ground. Check that the plants are deep and firm enough by giving a gentle tug. You should feel a little resistance. Always remember to water in thoroughly.
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Step 6:
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Cover
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After watering the plants in their new patch, cover them with mesh to protect from birds. Lay the mesh over a metal frame, and push the edges into the ground with a spade to prevent wind from catching the material.