Cabbage is most often affected by clubroot, a fungal disease of the roots that causes the heads of cabbage to grow loose. The reasons are too acidic soil, dampness, contaminated garden beds, lack of calcium and lack of crop rotation. To prevent this problem, when planting in a hole, it is important to add organic fertilizer, warns experienced gardener Veronika Polivkina.
Recipe for fertilizing when planting cabbage
When planting cabbage, add the following ash mixture to each hole:
- 2 tbsp. l. wood ash;
- 2 tbsp. l. dolomite or limestone flour;
- a handful of humus;
- some land.
Thanks to the earth, the acidity of the soil will decrease, the earth will be saturated with potassium. Dolomite flour will enrich the soil with calcium and also improve pH. Humus will improve the soil structure.
Precautions
To ensure that clubroot avoids your beds, do not plant cabbage in the same place for several years in a row. Thin out the plantings, loosen the soil, and cover it with mulch. If you see diseased plants, be sure to throw them away to prevent the disease from spreading further.
Do not overwater the cabbage, as overwatering increases the risk of fungal diseases. And under no circumstances put fresh manure in the hole, as it also makes the likelihood of disease higher.
