Cabbages

Q: Are there any funguses that affect cabbages?
A: Yes, one called cabbage yellow (yellows disease) that yellows the leaves and causes wilting. It is a soil born disease that can survive for as long as 20 years in your garden. If you plant cabbages in early spring, they can sometimes escape the effects of the disease. There are also some cabbage varieties resistance to the disease, including Wisconsin All Seasons, Wisconsin Golden Acre, Savory Ace, Jersey Wakefield and Sanibel hybrid (developed at the University of Wisconsin).

Q: Caterpillars are on my cabbage leaves. How do I get rid of them?
A: Use the natural bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis, commonly known as ‘BT’. When digested, the caterpillar stops feeding and dies shortly thereafter. BT is harmless to humans, animals, birds and other insects.

Q: Why do the heads of a cabbage split?
A: This is caused by hydraulic (water) pressure inside of the cabbage head. When the heads mature they tend to acquire too much water from the soil and it is this water that splits them. Either pick the cabbage when they mature or cut some of the roots to reduce the water intake.

Q: What is club root?
A: Club root is a fungal disease that deforms the roots into an enlarged, club-shaped appearance which inhibits the absorption of water and nutrients. This is a very nasty disease and difficult to eliminate. Don’t plant any Cole crops (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, broccoli, kohlrabi) in this section of the garden for two years and try to keep the pH above 7.2 if possible.