African Forage Cabbage

October 7, 2024/in Brassicas & Broadleaves/by admin

Brassica oleracea

African Forage Cabbage is high in both Potassium and Calcium and will accumulate Sulfur over time. Frost tolerant, cold weather is known to make African forage cabbage more palatable.

Growth Pattern	African Forage Cabbage has thick leaves with wavy edges and deep, fibrous roots. Plants will produce large yellow flowers.
Interseeding	Not Recommended
Did You Know?	Seeds/Lb: 105,000 – 115,000

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Adaptation Establishment Management Considerations

Adaptation

Grown best in colder, moist conditions, African Forage Cabbage requires at least 6 hrs. of sunlight daily.

Soil Conditions	Soil pH: 6.0 – 8.0
Growth	Optimum Growth Range: 40°F – 70°F

Establishment

Seed with 4” – 6” between plants and 2 ft. between rows. Thin seedlings to a spacing of 18”, and keep soils moist to avoid crusting or uneven germination. Plant spring seedings up to 4 weeks before the last frost date for the region or 6 – 8 weeks before the first frost date if fall planting.

Planting

Seeding Depth: ¼”

Seeding Rate

Monoculture: 5 – 8 Lb/A

Germination

Min Time To Emergence: 7 – 14 days

Ideal Temp: 55°F – 75°F

Management

African Forage Cabbage should be rotationally grazed.

Grazing	Earliest Time To Graze: 10″ – 12″
Fertilizing	Avoid overfertilization as excess nitrogen can lead to nitrate poisoning. At Planting: 15 Lb/A N During Grazing Season: 60 Lb/A N
Hay/Silage	Not Recommended
Recovery	Minimum Graze Height: 6” – 8” Rest Period: 21 days
Mixes	Buckwheat
Yield	Tons of Dry Matter/A: 2+

Considerations

African Forage Cabbage is not suited to permanent pasture applications.

Competition	African forage cabbage is not competitive — seed with other non-competitive plants.
Risks	Feed comprised of large amounts of African Forage Cabbage may taint milk. Nitrogen may accumulate in African Forage Cabbage plants and lead to Nitrate poisoning. Slow acclimation to the feed and selenium or iodine supplements are useful for some animals on African Forage Cabbage diets.
Diseases	Alternaria Leaf Spot Anthracnose Black Rot Clubroot Damping-Off Powdery Mildew Sclerotinia Stem Rot Watery Soft Rot White Rust Bacterial Soft Rot Blackleg Downy Mildew Ring Spot
Pests	Slugs Snails Beet Armyworm Cabbage Aphid Cabbage Looper Cutworms Diamondback Moth Flea Beetle Cabbage Worm Thrips Root Know Nematode

Please Note:

All information provided is the result of research, our own experience, or the experiences shared by our customers.

We strongly encourage consulting additional resources before planting to ensure the best fit for your location and needs.

For questions or advice or to share your experience, contact us.