Content
You can feed cabbage in August with different fertilizers. The emphasis is on potassium, phosphorus and boron compounds, since they contribute to the formation of heads of cabbage. Along with mineral compounds, organic preparations and folk remedies are used. The main fertilizers and methods of applying them, dosage and schedule are described in the article.
Why do you need feeding?
Even on fertile soils, cabbage must be fed. Fertilizers are given several times per season - from May to August. The last time is applied 2-3 weeks before harvest.
Thanks to regular feeding, it is possible to solve several important problems:
- increasing productivity;
- acceleration of growth;
- ensuring resistance to weather conditions;
- strengthening the immune system;
- improved taste;
- restoration of soil composition and structure.
Rules for applying fertilizers
In August, it is especially important to feed the cabbage to form a head of cabbage. In this case, fertilizers are applied according to certain rules. In order not to harm the plants and not spoil the composition of the soil, it is recommended to follow these tips:
- Carefully follow the dosage - you need to feed in August exactly in the quantities indicated in the instructions.If you add more, the soil will become saline, its pH will increase, and as a result, the plants will begin to receive less nutrients than required.
- The dosage for cauliflower, kohlrabi and broccoli should be 2 times less compared to red and white cabbage. If the soil is fertile, the amount of substances for all plants is also reduced by 1.5-2 times.
- Before feeding cabbage in August to set heads, it is necessary to loosen the soil. The same procedure is repeated after watering, as well as after heavy rains. If necessary, you can weed at the same time.
- It is better to feed in the late evening or early morning. Moreover, they water strictly at the root, trying not to get on the leaves. If drops fall on the heads of cabbage or foliage, they must be thoroughly washed off with water from a hose to prevent chemical burns.
- As a rule, plants are given complex mineral fertilizers, alternating with liquid organic matter, including according to folk recipes. But if cabbage experiences a clear deficiency of a specific microelement in August, foliar feeding should be done out of turn. For example, if the leaves become bluish, with a bronze tint, it is necessary to add potassium compounds.
To form large heads of cabbage, it is recommended to feed them with complex fertilizers with potassium and phosphorus.
How to feed cabbage in August so that the heads of cabbage are large
In August, cabbage should be given mainly phosphorus and potassium compounds. They are the ones responsible for the formation of heads of cabbage. You can feed with mineral and organic compounds.The folk remedies described below are also used. It is recommended to adhere to the following application schedule:
- Two weeks after planting the seedlings (May-June).
- On the eve of the formation of heads of cabbage (July).
- Three weeks after the second feeding (August).
Mineral supplements
Among the mineral fertilizers for cabbage in August for setting heads, one can distinguish compounds with phosphorus and potassium. These are vital elements that contribute to both fruiting and strengthening the root system. It is equally important to feed with boron.
The basic recipes are as follows (quantity per 10 l):
- Mix 30 g of potassium sulfate and 40 g of superphosphate, dissolve and water the plantings, spending 1 liter per plant. Water at the root.
- Mix 25 g of potassium salt and 40 g of superphosphate, also feed the cabbage in August with 1 liter. Water at the root.
- Dissolve 3-4 g of boric acid in a small volume of hot water, mix thoroughly, then bring to 10 liters and water (1 liter per plant). Carry out foliar treatment on the leaf.
You need to feed with these compounds both in July, when the heads of cabbage are just beginning to form, and in August (an interval of 2-3 weeks). Moreover, it is enough to add boron once, and water it with superphosphate and potassium twice. The last time you can feed in August is 3 weeks before harvest. After this, fertilizers should not be given.
If you don’t have time to make mixtures yourself, you can purchase ready-made complex fertilizer, for example, Kemira Universal, Agricola or Mortar. They are used exactly according to the instructions. It is worth remembering that in August cabbage cannot be fed with purely nitrogen compounds, for example, urea or nitrate. This element ensures rapid growth, rather than the formation of the heads of cabbage themselves.If nitrogen is overused, yields may decrease.
In order not to prepare the compositions yourself, you can purchase a complex fertilizer
Organic fertilizers
In August, plants can also be fed with organic matter. It is mainly used at the beginning of the season, but it can be applied for the last time at the beginning of August. The main option is an infusion of mullein or bird droppings. To prepare them proceed as follows:
- Place the raw material (bird droppings or mullein) in a container and pour in five times more water.
- Leave it outside or indoors, stirring occasionally.
- After 10-12 days, the resulting liquid is diluted with water (dung 15-20 times, mullein 10 times).
- You can feed cabbage with organic matter in August by using 0.5 liters of the prepared solution for each bush.
- If some of the liquid remains, it must be used for other plants. The solution cannot be stored for long.
You can also feed the plantings in August with potassium humate. This is a ready-made drug that dissolves well in water. It is used according to the instructions, diluting 10 ml in 1 liter of water or 100 ml per standard bucket. Water at the roots, then loosen the soil.
Folk remedies
To grow large heads of cabbage, it is recommended to feed cabbage in August using folk remedies. Experienced summer residents offer the following recipes:
- Mow nettles or other green grass, chop them with a shovel, put them in a barrel (half the volume) and fill it to the top with water. Stir occasionally, strain and dilute five times. Water at the root.
- In August, you can also feed with dry yeast - 1 sachet (10 g) per bucket of warm water. Add half a glass of sugar and leave in a warm place for several days. After fermentation is complete, water the cabbage (0.5 liters per bush).
- It is also recommended to feed onion peels in August. It is placed in a saucepan (500-600 g), poured with boiling water and left for four days. Then filter and dilute with water 10 times.
- Another option is to take a loaf of bread (you can also use stale bread), put it in 10 liters of water, leave for a day, and stir. Then add 30 drops of iodine and dilute with water 1:3. Water at the root (once in August).
- If you have wood ash, it is recommended to leave 200 g in 1 bucket of water for 3-4 days. Then mix and pour under the root. This infusion can be used both for feeding and as a means of preventing diseases and pests.
Folk remedies for fertilizer are used 1-2 times per season
Conclusion
You can feed cabbage in August using different means. It is advisable to apply fertilizer twice, for example, mineral and organic. In most cases, they are applied by the root method. But if the leaves turn yellow and quickly wither, it is necessary to carry out extraordinary spraying.
