Growing Giant Cabbage by Stephen Brown

Growing Giant CabbagesYou could be the next Alaska State Fair champion!

Why grow giant veggies?

It’s part of our Alaskan heritage!

It will help the Alaska State Fair

Few current exhibitors

It’s pretty easy

Genetics, genetics, genetics

The key to growing giant veggies is obtaining the seeds of giants

-Northern Giant Cabbage

www.pandpseed.com

-O-S Cross Giant Cabbage

www.denaliseed.com

Start earlySome growers begin in December

Start in seed trays

Transplant to pots when two strong cotyledon appear…re-pot as necessary

Outside preparationGiant veggies need lots of room

Will need:

-wind protection

-rain protection

-sun protection

-means for watering and fertilizing

-means for harvesting & transporting

Wind, rain & sun protection Protect from wind

Protect from rain…you control moisture to prevent cracking

Reduce high temps and blistering sun

Get the Soil Ready

Get soil tested!

Cabbage likes 6-7.5 pH

Till in lots of manure

Watering & FertilizingUse a liquid high nitrogen fertilizer

Keep soil moist

Use irrigation to water under the plant

Watering & Fertilizing

Slug protection

Till soil to destroy eggs

Use lots of Sluggo

Spray individuals with 10% ammonia

Wet/dry vacuum individuals

Harvest & transportMany people build a frame and plant their

seedlings through the frame

At harvest the frame is used to pickup and transport

Harvest & transport

Harvest & transport

Harvest cabbage just before event

Protect leaves..each are about 2 pounds

Retain 1 foot of root

Wrap root in soil, moist cloths and a plastic bag

Trim root close to body after arriving at the fairgrounds