Cabbage is a popular vegetable grown by all summer residents. In our article we will consider one of the questions that bother many vegetable growers: is it necessary to pick off the lower leaves of cabbage?
What do beginner gardeners say
Cabbage is one of the problematic crops grown in the garden, because quite often the seedlings die in the ground due to lack of moisture and nutrients.
Important! The accumulation of nutrients occurs in the leaves of cabbage: due to them, the root and aboveground parts of the plant grow and develop. When they are removed, there may be a shortage of useful elements, and the plant will stop growing and die.
But even having survived "difficult times", seedlings are not always able to produce a large and bountiful harvest. Different reasons can lead to such an unpleasant situation: depleted soil, insects and pests.
However, cabbage does not always grow only due to natural factors. Not very experienced gardeners, who carry out improper care of the vegetable and interfere with the natural formation of the head, can also harm the crop. 
Among the newcomers to the summer cottage there is an opinion that in order to give the head a beautiful look, it is necessary to get rid of the deformed parts of the plant.
Some "experts" claim that they know exactly when to pick off the leaves of cabbage, in order to get a dense and large forks. But none of these newcomers, gardeners can not bring clear arguments that would justify the need to pick off the leaves from the agrotechnical point of view.
Usually, gardeners rely on various traditions and tips of the same self-taught people like them, who just do not know whether to do it or not.
What professionals say
In such a serious matter, it would not be superfluous to know what the professionals think about this - people who not only rely on experience, but also possess special agricultural knowledge.
It will probably be interesting for you to read about the cultivation of such types of cabbage as: pak choi, kale, white cabbage, cauliflower, red cabbage.
According to experts, pick off the cabbage leaves is only if they are damaged by diseases and pests to prevent further spread of the disease.
In all other cases, there is no need to break. On the contrary, the lower part of the plant serves as a kind of protection against pests that still strive to eat delicious vegetables. Also, the lower leaves act as a regulator of moisture and temperature indicators. In addition, it does not penetrate directly into the head of the pathogenic microorganisms.
Professionals advise even in storage not to tear off the lower leaves of the cabbage, so that they save the vegetable. Most experts in the field of growing vegetables give a clear negative answer about whether it should be done, and when they receive questions, they clearly give a logical explanation of their convictions.
Did you know? The largest cabbage was grown by Scott Robb in Alaska (USA) in 2012. Her weight was 62.71 kg.
The consequences of torn leaves
If you are still thinking about whether to cut the leaves of cabbage, think about the fact that a vegetable is a whole organism, and each of its elements performs an important function that ensures the normal development and functioning of the plant. 
Important! With each sheet torn off, part of the root system dies off, which leads to a slower growth of the plant as a result of a reduction in the supply of nutrients. Therefore, removing the lower leaves is prohibited.
The slightest human intervention in this process disrupts the natural processes and weakens the plant. This concerns the removal of not only healthy leaves, but also those on which there is a little rot - they are just as important for the development of culture.
Another argument in favor of the fact that it is not necessary to remove the leaves from the cabbage is that the juice that has a specific odor will start to stand out from the cut of the crop. A person may not notice it, but various insects immediately attack the plant.
As a result of such adversity, you risk losing most of the plants and be left without a crop. Everything that nature creates is important and created to perform certain functions.
By interfering in the process of plant growth, a person contributes to the emergence and development of unfavorable conditions for culture, which may result in a harvest. 
Did you know? December 26 in Austria is forbidden to eat cabbage. According to legend, it was on this day that St. Stephen was able to hide from his pursuers among the heads of cabbages in the cabbage field, which as a result saved his life.
If you doubt any agrotechnical issue, it would be best not to ask self-taught gardeners for advice, but to find out what the professionals think about it. This will allow you to avoid critical mistakes when growing crops.
