Growing Cabbage in Alaska: A Comprehensive Guide

Cabbage is a hardy vegetable that thrives in cooler climates, making it an ideal crop for Alaska’s unique growing conditions. Alaskan summers, with their long daylight hours and cooler temperatures, are perfect for cultivating this nutrient-rich vegetable. Whether you’re a home gardener or considering growing cabbage on a larger scale, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know about growing cabbage in Alaska.

Why Cabbage is Ideal for Alaska

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) is a cold-tolerant vegetable that grows best in temperatures ranging from 55°F to 75°F. Alaska’s short but intense growing season, characterized by extended daylight hours and cool nights, provides a favorable environment for cabbage. The combination of ample sunlight and cool temperatures allows cabbage to thrive, leading to larger heads and higher yields compared to warmer climates.

Additionally, Alaska’s rich soil and lower pest pressure contribute to producing high-quality cabbage. Some Alaskan cabbages have even set world records for size, with heads weighing over 100 pounds!

Selecting the Right Cabbage Varieties

Choosing the right variety is crucial to ensure a successful harvest. In Alaska, it’s best to opt for cabbage varieties that are cold-hardy, mature quickly, and can handle fluctuating weather conditions. Here are some recommended varieties:

  1. ‘Golden Acre’: This early-maturing variety produces small to medium-sized heads in about 65-75 days. It’s known for its sweet flavor and crisp texture, making it perfect for fresh eating and slaws.

  2. ‘Early Jersey Wakefield’: An heirloom variety that matures in 60-75 days, it produces pointed, conical heads that are ideal for tight garden spaces. It’s a great choice for early summer harvests.

  3. ‘Savoy King’: A semi-savoy type known for its wrinkled, tender leaves, ‘Savoy King’ matures in 90 days and is more cold-resistant than flat-leaf varieties. It’s perfect for both fresh eating and cooking.

  4. ‘Flat Dutch’: A large, late-season variety that matures in 100-120 days. It’s highly cold-tolerant and can produce heads weighing up to 20 pounds, making it ideal for storage and winter use.

  5. ‘Ruby Perfection’: A red cabbage variety that adds color and flavor to your garden. It matures in about 85 days and is great for pickling, salads, and slaws.

Preparing the Soil

Cabbage thrives in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. In Alaska, it’s essential to prepare your soil before planting:

  1. Test the Soil: Conduct a soil test to determine the pH and nutrient levels. If necessary, amend the soil with lime to adjust the pH.

  2. Add Organic Matter: Work in compost, aged manure, or other organic matter to improve soil fertility and drainage. Cabbage is a heavy feeder and benefits from nutrient-rich soil.

  3. Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at planting time. Cabbage also benefits from side-dressing with nitrogen-rich fertilizer (like fish emulsion or blood meal) about four weeks after planting.

Planting and Transplanting

Due to Alaska’s short growing season, starting cabbage indoors is recommended. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Start Seeds Indoors: Begin seeds 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date. In most parts of Alaska, this means starting seeds in late February or March.

  2. Harden Off Transplants: Before transplanting, harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days.

  3. Transplanting: When soil temperatures reach 45°F and all danger of frost has passed, transplant the seedlings into the garden. Space them 18-24 inches apart in rows that are 24-36 inches apart.

  4. Mulching: Apply a thick layer of mulch around the plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

Caring for Cabbage

Cabbage is relatively low-maintenance once established, but a few key practices will ensure healthy growth:

  1. Watering: Consistent watering is crucial, especially during the early stages of growth. Water deeply, keeping the soil evenly moist. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

  2. Fertilizing: Cabbage is a heavy feeder. Supplement with a high-nitrogen fertilizer about four weeks after transplanting and again at the start of head formation.

  3. Weeding and Mulching: Keep the area around the cabbage free of weeds, which can compete for nutrients and water. Mulching also helps control weeds.

  4. Pest Control: While Alaska’s cooler climate reduces some pest pressures, cabbage can still be affected by pests like aphids, cabbage worms, and root maggots. Use floating row covers to protect plants, and hand-pick pests if necessary. Organic insecticides like neem oil can be effective against more persistent infestations.

Common Cabbage Challenges in Alaska

  • Cold Snaps and Frost: While cabbage is frost-tolerant, unexpected late spring or early fall frosts can damage young plants or heads. Use frost blankets or row covers to protect plants during cold spells.

  • Split Heads: Fluctuations in watering or uneven growth can cause heads to split. To prevent this, maintain consistent soil moisture and avoid over-fertilizing late in the season.

  • Root Maggots: These pests can be problematic, especially in northern regions. To control them, practice crop rotation and use row covers to keep adult flies from laying eggs.

Harvesting and Storing Cabbage

Cabbage is ready to harvest when the heads are firm and reach the desired size. Use a sharp knife to cut the heads at the base, leaving some outer leaves on the stalk if you plan to get a secondary harvest of smaller heads (often called “cabbage sprouts”).

  • Storage: Cabbage stores well in cool, humid conditions. In Alaska, heads can be stored in root cellars, basements, or even buried under straw in a cool garage. Under ideal conditions (32°F with high humidity), cabbage can store for 3-6 months.

  • Preserving: Cabbage can also be preserved by fermenting into sauerkraut or kimchi, both of which are traditional ways to extend the vegetable’s shelf life.

Extending the Growing Season

Alaska’s growing season is short, but with a few strategies, you can extend your cabbage harvest:

  • Cold Frames and Greenhouses: Growing cabbage in cold frames or unheated greenhouses can help extend the season into early spring and late fall.

  • Row Covers and Frost Blankets: These can protect your cabbage from light frosts and extend your harvest by a few weeks.

  • Fall Planting: In areas with milder fall weather, consider planting a second crop of cabbage in mid-summer for a late fall harvest.

Conclusion

Growing cabbage in Alaska is not only possible but can be incredibly rewarding. With the right varieties, proper soil preparation, and diligent care, you can produce healthy, large cabbage heads that are perfect for fresh eating, cooking, or storage. Embrace Alaska’s unique growing conditions and enjoy the satisfaction of a bountiful cabbage harvest!