Cabbage

Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Cabbage

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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 types of garden pests. By planning your growing season and providing diligent care, you may have two successful crops in one year, in 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.
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 cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower are closely related, and require similar nutrients, it’s best not to plant them together. They are all heavy feeders, depleting the soil faster of required nutrients; plus, they will attract the same pests and diseases. For cabbage, 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/Diseases

Some old folklore tells us: Scatter elder leaves over your cabbage to keep the bugs away.

Imported Cabbageworms: Dill protects all members of the cabbage family by attracting beneficial wasps that kill cabbageworms and other pests.
Aphids
Cabbage Root Maggots
Flea Beetles
Cutworms
Splitting

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’.

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!

For other greens to use in your cuisine, see the Leafy Greens: Health Benefits page and then learn how to grow more of your own salad greens.

Recipes

Reader Comments

how to start commercial cabbage production

I leave in the temperate region of Africa and want to start cabbage production in a large scale so i need a kind of lecture on how to start so that i can succeed.

Cabbage

Try contacting your "Local or Gov. Department of Agriculture" you can get their contact info @ the Dept. Agriculture website; you could also research other crops; Carrots might be good; being Carrots Greens are edible as well as the Carrot Root;;)AR;;

cabbage

I am trying a new to me cabbage. It is mini cabbage from Bonnie plants....
Supposed to grow about 6-7' heads. I always used DE to keep the bugs away. Seems to work for me. Must reapply after heavy rains. I will plant two in my garden tower to see if it works.

Protecting cabbage

You might try planting dill near your cabbage. It protects by attracting beneficial wasps that kill cabbageworms and other pests. Learn more about dill here: http://www.almanac.com/plant/dill and beneficial wasps and other insects here: http://www.almanac.com/blog/gardening/gardening/beneficial-insects-garden

when to harvest cabbage

I have some large cabbage that could be harvested now, but I would like to leave them for New Years. Now it is supposed to get below freezing, Will that ruin the cabbage? We had a few frost that did nor bother it.

Red Cabbage In SA

Hi All

Where can I find red cabbage in S.A especially around Durban.

Seeds for Durban

It looks like you can order from Seeds for Africa: http://www.seedsforafrica.co.za/search?q=cabbage

My dad is growing cabbage for

My dad is growing cabbage for the first time in our garden! Everything is going great, but we are wondering what to do about the leaves falling from the trees that are falling into the center of the cabbages. We are pulling them out when we see them but we are afraid some are getting wrapped up in the cabbage itself. any suggestions?

You might try placing row

You might try placing row cover or bird netting (both found in garden centers) over your cabbages to catch the leaves. You can prop up the material on stakes (or garden hoops) to either side of the row, if desired, so that the material doesn’t actually touch your crop.

cabbage seedlings

Can cabbage seedlings grow again after the leaves were cut by goats ?

No Kid-ding!

Hi, Tsholofelo: No kidding! (Get it? No kid- … uh, never mind.) Goats love cabbage leaves, which can be bad for them because they will ferment in their gut if they eat enough. If you’re really talking about seedlings being eaten down to the ground, then there’s not much hope. If you’re talking about developing heads of cabbage, they may have a chance if everything isn’t gone. Good luck!

My daughter got a cabbage

My daughter got a cabbage plant at school as an experiment to see who could grow theirs the largest. After the last frost of the year we planted it in our garden. At first it took off great got about 10 inches tall, then the bunnies got to it and ate it down to the ground. You could actually only see a little round circle of the stalk against the ground. That was in mid July, It is now November and that cabbage plant has 2 10 inch heads on it and is looking wonderful. So in my opinion, Yes they can come back.

Salting cabbage heads

I remember my mother and grandmother salting newly formed heads to make the tighten up. Have you heard of this or how much salt to use?

using salt on growing cabbage

We can think of two reasons your ancestors used salt on growing cabbage: 1. to deter caterpillars and 2. to deter magnesium deficiency. By adding some salt to the watering can and sprinkling on young cabbages, it hinders the growth of caterpillars, a destructive pest to cabbage. And you can add Epsom salt to the base of cabbage plants to prevent magnesium deficiency.

cabbage no head

my cabbage doesn't seem to be heading. I planted the cabbage in right season in toronto, and growing well ,but no head is coming out , all leaves are open now only 45 days after planting.

Cabbage Not Heading

The optimum temperature for cabbage growth is 60º to 65ºF (15 to 18ºC). 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). Good luck!

deer and cabbage

we put up an electric fence, but it still doesn't work! The deer raided my garden last night and ate the leaves off all my cauliflower and cabbage. Will these plants grow back, or do I need to plant again?

cabbage

How do you encourage the heads to develop.

cabbage heads

Cabbage does best in temperatures between about 60 and 65 F. Cold or hot temperatures can affect head development, so timing is important as to when you plant – plan for cabbage to mature before summer, or with fall plantings, before the first fall freeze. Plant in rich soil, using a balanced fertilizer. Some sources say nitrogen helps in early head development, although too much can create loose heads. Keep up with watering, so evenly moist during development (but not soggy); mulch helps to keep the soil cool and retain moisture. Avoid compacting the soil. Give plants room to grow; smaller spacing will result in smaller heads. Check soil pH and maintain at about 6.5 to 7.0.

Disease about cabbages

I bought cabbage seedlings and planted them. After 2 to three weeks they changed their colour into purple also the growth is slowly

Cabbage turning purple

My early cabbage did that as well Celumusa, I heard that they needed more fertilizing, so now I fertilize at least once a week and they turned back green and are growing beautifully. I just use Miracle grow to fertilize and bonemeal in the soil.

Cabbage

I bought cabbage plants that are about 3-4" tall.
I know how and where to plant, but I can't find out how deep. I don't want to plant them too shallow, but don't want to submerge them either. They seem kind of spindly toward the root.
Help? Thank you!

Transplanting Cabbage Plants

Dig a hole large enough so that the transplanted plant sets at the same depth that was growing in the container. Transplant plants 9 to 12 inches apart in rows 36 to 44 inches wide for 2- to 3-lb heads.

red cabbage

my cabbage just wants to flower, not making any heads. I keep breaking off the flowers, but still they want to go to seed...

cabbage bolting

Cabbages will bolt during hot weather, but also if young plants are exposed to cold temperatures (below around 45F) for a period of time early on. To avoid this next time, try to plant out no earlier than 1 to 3 weeks from your area’s last expected spring frost. If cold weather is expected, cover the plants with row covers.

Hello, this is my first year

Hello, this is my first year growing cabbage. The variety is Minuet. It has been inundated with earwigs and what look like sowbugs. How do I remedy this problem? I think my cabbage are mostly gone. Might be able to eat just the inside of them.

Earwigs do like cabbage and

Earwigs do like cabbage and hide out in the outer leaves.
For the future: You can sprinkle diatomaceous earth around seedlings. You can set out traps. For example, set out some newspaper tubes or hollow bamboo or wet rolled up newspaper. Leave outside. The bugs will gather inside and you can dumb the tubes in the compost. You can also set out boards and the bugs can be found underneath in the morning.

Fantastic advice! Very

Fantastic advice! Very doable. Thank you!

Where do you find the cabbage

Where do you find the cabbage seeds can you get them off a store bought cabbage or do you have to buy seeds separately

Hi Jennifer, You can get seed

Hi Jennifer,
You can get seed from a head of cabbage if you grow it yourself. It is a biennial vegetable so it will grow the head the first year and if you leave it in the ground over the winter it will sprout seed heads the next year. You can buy seeds to plant or you can also find seedlings to transplant at garden centers.

Yes, my cabbages came back

Yes, my cabbages came back after the winter and are now growing seed heads. How do I harvest the seeds? Do I leave these plants to grow a cabbage again this summer?
Thanks

It's normal thing for your

It's normal thing for your cabbage to grow seed heads if you've overwintered it because the weather is now getting warmer. This plant has reached the end of its lifecycle. You can save these seeds to plant again. Pick the seed pods after they've dried on the plants but before they split open and spill their seed. Learn more about seed saving here: http://www.almanac.com/content/quick-seed-saving-guide-beginners

Which month is the best for

Which month is the best for planting of cabbage?
What can make cabbage yield well?

Dates for planting cabbage

Dates for planting cabbage are based on where you live. See our customized planting chart here: http://www.almanac.com/gardeni...
There are many factors which lead to good cabbage yield: The soil is ideally a well-drained sandy loam with high organic matter content. The variety you choose is important. Treating your seed for black rot helps. Consider double rows per bed. Add boron to the fertilizer. Supply 80 lb of N per acre preplant. Sidedress. Wait for plants to dry before cultivating. Spray for insect control; insects are an issue with cabbage. Pack carefully and avoid bruises. Keep cabbage in shade after harvest.

some advice about cabbage

some advice about cabbage growing

I am writing this in last

I am writing this in last week of august, to have fall crop of cabbage when should I plant? Also would it be better to plant seed or plants?

Hi, June: This really depends

Hi, June: This really depends on where you are. Use the Frost Dates calculator above under Gardening to determine when your average first frost is, then make sure you get your transplants, not seeds, into the ground at least 3 weeks before. Thanks for asking!

what is the main fertilizer

what is the main fertilizer for a
pumpkin and cabbage

I planted my cabbage about

I planted my cabbage about 3-4 feet from my row of broccoli and cauliflower... Will this cause a problem? All my plants seem to be growing great so far ;)

It should be fine as long as

It should be fine as long as they have plenty of soil nutrients, good care, and you monitor for pests and diseases. Cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower are in the same plant family, so they will use similar nutrients, depleting the soil faster of those nutrients (they are heavy feeders). Also, they will attract the same pests and diseases, so keep an eye out. We've revised the text in the article so that it is clearer. Thanks!

Thank you for all of your

Thank you for all of your advice! I followed it to the letter and have huge heads of perfect cabbage!
Cabbage moths began to be a problem, however I did use my grandmothers recipe of (ready?) old dish water! Yes, soapy water took care of all pests once per week, so again, thank you!

My daughters plant is huge

My daughters plant is huge but still no head what are we doing wrong...

The optimum temperature for

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).

My father in law years ago

My father in law years ago made beautiful cabbage plants. They were huge, but sadly he pasted away long ago. I can't remember what he did to make the heads form really well. He once told me that he used a salt. I don't remember what kind of salt. Table, sea, Epsom ???? Does anyone out there know possibly what I am getting at.? He would pour it on the center leaves once they were large enough to start turning inward to form the heads. The heads would get tight and firm and huge. help? I would love to know and many people have asked me what it was but I don't remember. Thanks for any help.

What kind of salt

Epsom salt I bet.

growing up here in Kentucky

growing up here in Kentucky we had a vent pipe going up through the root cellar roof another small pipe down close to the floor with a damper on it in the winter you can open and adjust the damper to draw cold air in and keep the temperature low evenly between 35 and 45 degrees in the summer you shut the damper so you don't draw in
hot air don't forget you don't have much going in the root cellar until fall.

I am from south india

I am from south india (Kerala) where its humid and hot. Cabbage plants are growing with big leaves (45 days old)and still not getting a firm head. Should i tie the leaves to get a firm head.
Plants are evenly watered every day and soil beneath is firm

High temperatures during head

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). We do not usually tie up cabbage; we'll tie cauliflower leaves over the developing curd to protect it from direct sunlight.

how do you know when to plant

how do you know when to plant red cabbage

Growing red cabbage is no

Growing red cabbage is no different than growing green cabbage. It really depends on the variety that you buy because there are some types that mature earlier and some that mature later. In general, transplant early cabbage soon enough that it matures before the heat of summer. Many varieties take 70 to 75 days to mature. Late cabbage is seeded mid-summer, but it develops its main head during the cooling weather of fall.

Cabbage

I want to know the best time to plant cabbage

Hi I an in KwaZulu Natal (

Hi
I an in KwaZulu Natal ( South Africa) in the north coast. Is sprinf the right time to plant cabbage. Or what vegetable is to be planted this season.

Cabbages are getting quite

Cabbages are getting quite large but are not forming heads and it looks like something is eating the little leaves inside. Do you ever "tie up" up the outer leaves to help form heads?

Usually cabbage doesn't form

Usually cabbage doesn't form a head because it's too hot. Cabbage likes cool temperature. There are a variety of cabbage pests. You'd need to describe them--brightly-colored, green, worms, etc. You could tie up the cabbage head though it's not going to form a head if it's not cool.

I live in South Dakota and

I live in South Dakota and it's quite hot and humid here. I planted cabbages, broccoli, and brussel sprouts this year and so far all I have is a garden full of huge leaves and no heads. Should I just pull them out and throw them all away and try and replant when it gets cooler in September?

This BTK insecticide. What is

This BTK insecticide. What is the name on the bottle or what is the name of the insecticide that has this chemical in it

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) exists as bacteria in soil in the natural environment and is a toxin for some pests. Foray® 48B, EPA Registration No. 73049-427, is certified by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) as an organic product. The product contains 12.65% Btk as the active ingredient.

Once I buy cabbage plants

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

My cabbage is growing yellow flowers but no head but its 3 feet tall!!! What do I do?

The optimum temperature for

Cabbage not making heads

My cabbage usually makes lots of big, pretty green leaves, but not really heads. What am I doing wrong?

High temperatures during head

Can the cabbage leaves still

Can the cabbage leaves still be eaten if it never forms a head?

Yes, you can eat the leaves.

Yes, you can eat the leaves. They may not be as palatable.

newbee

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

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

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

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!

When cabbages start to form

When cabbages start to form their heads and the white moths are flying around them, the easiest way to prevent them from laying eggs is to take a rinsed out empty 1 gallon milk jug, put several squirts of liquid dish soap, and canola oil then fill the rest with water. Dump this over the cabbages. You will need to do this once a week. It really works! I have been doing this for over 30 years.

I grow cabbage with gasoline

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

That's about as stupid as my

That's about as stupid as my neighbor who sweeps up petroleum street grout to use as mulch for his oak tree.

Hallo, my cabbages have

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

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

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

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.

Rotting stems

halo, I planted an outdoor seed bed but the cabbage seedlings are rotting from the stem base and later wilting off. I habe been using *stricker* for pests and super grow as fertiliser. what can I do? thanks.

Rotting stem

Rotting at the roots, may be a sign of Black rot a common fungus that affects the roots of cabbage. this is usally treated using a fungicide at earlier stages of the plants growth or at the late but chances are the fungus will have already done its damage. I am not aware of chemicals sold in your area but im sure some one can direct you as to which fungicide can be used. To prevent black rot grow cabbages on beds this prevents water from settling anywhere near the root of the plant. You dont want the areas directly below the cabbage leaves or near the root to be constantly moist or wet, as this is perfect conditions for fungus to manifest and strive( warm temperatures and moist). In the end try to water your plants without excess, ensure its on a even surface high enough to prevent water catching in area. If water isnt causing this then, pests in your area may be the problem, vectors can carry this fungus around to other plants.

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Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Cabbage

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Planting

Care

Pests/Diseases

Harvest/Storage

Recommended Varieties

Wit & Wisdom

Recipes

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