Print
EmailBotanical name: Brassica oleracea var. capitata
Plant type: Vegetable
USDA Hardiness Zones: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Sun exposure: Full Sun
Soil pH: Neutral
Cabbage is a hardy, leafy vegetable full of vitamins. It can be difficult to grow; it only likes cool temperatures, and it can be a magnet for some type of pests. By planning your growing season and providing diligent care, you may have two successful crops in one year, both spring and fall. Many varieties are available to suit both your growing conditions and taste preferences.
Planting
- Start cabbage seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost. See frost dates for your area here.
- Harden off plants over the course of a week. To prepare soil, till in aged manure or compost.
- Transplant outdoors 2 to 3 weeks before the last expected frost date. Choose a cloudy afternoon.
- Plant 12 to 24 inches apart in rows, depending on size of head desired. The closer you plant, the smaller the heads.
- Mulch thickly to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
- Practice crop rotation with cabbage year to year to avoid a buildup of soil borne diseases.
- Although broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage are closely related, cabbage will not tolerate them. Also avoid proximity to strawberries and tomatoes.
- Cabbage can be grown near beans and cucumbers.
- Check out our chart of plant companions for an expanded list of friends and foes.
Care
- When transplants reach 5 inches tall, thin to make sure they are still the desired length apart. (The plants you remove can be transplanted elsewhere in your garden.)
- Fertilize 3 weeks after transplanting.
- Keep soil moist with mulch and water 2 inches per week.
Pests
Harvest/Storage
- Harvest when heads reach desired size and are firm. This will take around 70 days for most green cabbage varieties. Most early varieties will produce 1- to 3-pound heads.
- Cut each cabbage head at its base with a sharp knife. After harvesting, bring inside or put in shade immediately.
- To get two crops from early cabbage plants, cut the cabbage head out of the plant, leaving the outer leaves and root in the garden. The plant will send up new heads—pinch them off until only four or so smaller heads remain. When these grow to tennis-ball size, they’ll be perfect for salad.
- After harvesting, remove the entire stem and root system from the soil to prevent disease buildup. Only compost healthy plants; destroy those with maggot infestation.
- Cabbage can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than two weeks, wrapped lightly in plastic. Make sure it is dry before storing. In proper root cellar conditions, cabbage will keep for up to 3 months. See our article on root cellars.
Recommended Varieties
- If you are planting for a fall harvest, try red or Chinese cabbage. Good varieties include ‘Ruby Perfection’ and ‘Lei-Choy’.
- For quick harvest time, try ‘Golden Acre’, ‘Primo’, or ‘Stonehead’.
- ‘Early Jersey Wakefield’ resists splitting.
- Disease-resistant varieties include ‘Blue Vantage’ and ‘Cheers’.
Recipes
Wit & Wisdom
Mark Twain once said, “Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education.” In fact, cabbage is no longer seen so poorly. We now know that this hardy vegetable is antioxidant- and nutrient-rich, and a great addition to any garden!
Comments
Once I buy cabbage plants
- reply
By Gerry Monaghan on May 26
Once I buy cabbage plants how long do I have to plant them i have them a week now are they still ok to plant
My cabbage is growing yellow
- reply
By Mimi0423 on May 21
My cabbage is growing yellow flowers but no head but its 3 feet tall!!! What do I do?
The optimum temperature for
- reply
By Almanac Staff on May 24
The optimum temperature for cabbage growth is 60˚ to 65˚F. Often, the problem is temperature--too high or too low. Cabbage also needs even moisture supply during head formation. If your plant hasn't bolted yet, it may eventually form heads. If they do start to flower and bolt, pull them up and try in the fall when the weather is cooler (for most areas).
Cabbage not making heads
- reply
By Anonymous
My cabbage usually makes lots of big, pretty green leaves, but not really heads. What am I doing wrong?
High temperatures during head
- reply
By Almanac Staff
High temperatures during head formation can lead to loose heads that are not firm. The optimum temperature for cabbage growth is 60˚ to 65˚F. Excess soil nitrogen can also lead to loose heads. Be sure the cabbage gets consistent watering and the soil around it is firm, not loose (use your hands to firm up).
Can the cabbage leaves still
- reply
By Reggie Greenleaf on June 3
Can the cabbage leaves still be eaten if it never forms a head?
Yes, you can eat the leaves.
- reply
By Almanac Staff on June 4
Yes, you can eat the leaves. They may not be as palatable.
newbee
- reply
By Anonymous
What makes a (3in)cabbage plant leaves curl and tips of them turn yellow?
Its dieing,i have to save my little girls plant.
Based on these symptoms, your
- reply
By Almanac Staff
Based on these symptoms, your cabbage might have an insect called aphids. Remove with a blast of water. Use insecticidal soap solution. Mulch with aluminum foil to disorient aphids. We hope this helps.
Cabbage Pests
- reply
By Anonymous
Did not see cabbage worms mentioned as pests but they are the only thing that keeps my harvest from being perfect. Those pretty little butterflies that dance around the cabbage plants are really laying eggs which then hatch into little green worms that chew the cabbage and deposit worm poop. Short of manually removing all of the eggs, any other suggestions (no dangerous pesticides, please) for deterring these guys?
cabbageworm control
- reply
By Almanac Staff
In addition to handpicking caterpillars:
Cover your plants with row covers to deter the adult butterflies from laying eggs on the cabbages.
Yellow sticky traps will catch the adult butterflies, but may also catch beneficial insects.
Spraying with BTK (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki) every 1 to 2 weeks will also help control the pests.
It is said that if you dampen cabbage leaves and sprinkle them with cornmeal, the caterpillars will eat the meal, swell, and die.
Trichogramma wasps (very tiny; they do not sting humans) parasitize the eggs of the imported cabbageworm; these beneficial insects are available by mailorder, although you'll need to time their release appropriately--the mailorder company would be able to help you.
Good luck!
I grow cabbage with gasoline
- reply
By Anonymous
I grow cabbage with gasoline base fertilizer and two inches of water per week. All natural way of green ozone. Once establish switch to diesel. Matures in 55days
Hallo, my cabbages have
- reply
By Anonymous
Hallo, my cabbages have started turning purple while they are still in nursery. What do i do? Again is it good to sprinkle alot of water?
Not sure how big your cabbage
- reply
By Almanac Staff
Not sure how big your cabbage plants are. It's better to water the soil deeply when the plants are starting to develop the heads. Cabbages have long deep roots. It's OK to sprinkle water if the plants are still tiny.
when to plant
- reply
By Anonymous
Hey I have a question, can you plant this in heat?? cause it's the beggining of summer/end of winter and I was wondering if I could plant the seeds now,
This is a North American
- reply
By Almanac Staff
This is a North American almanac! However, we can tell you that cabbage enjoys cool weather--spring, not summer. It's best planted at soil temperatures between 5°C and 18°C.
Post new comment