How to Grow Cabbage: 9 Easy Tips

Cabbage makes an excellent addition to your spring and fall veggie garden. It’s easy to grow and incredibly nutritious. Cabbage is a leafy vegetable that grows best in cool weather between 55-75°F. Read on to learn how to grow cabbage and keep the plants flourishing from planting until harvest time.

Many gardeners wonder, “How long does cabbage take to grow?” Depending on the variety, cabbage heads are ready to harvest approximately 70-140 days after planting seeds.

Temperature is a critical factor when growing cabbage, so the timing for planting your cabbage seeds is essential. Cabbage is usually a spring and fall crop in most climates.

Homegrown veggies taste better and have more nutritional value than store-bought alternatives. Cabbage leaves contain numerous essential nutrients. These include calcium, folate, fiber, manganese, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamins B6, C, and K. They’re also an outstanding source of antioxidants, which help improve immunity, reduce inflammation, and prevent chronic diseases. Plus, potassium and soluble fiber help regulate cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

How to Grow Cabbage

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) belongs to the Brassica plant family. Other brassicas, also called cole crops, include broccoli, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower, collard greens, kohlrabi, radishes, and turnips.

Although cabbage often gets cultivated as an annual vegetable, the plants are biennials. They develop their leaves and root systems in the first growing season and grow flowers and seeds in their second year. Bolting happens when the plants prematurely begin flowering in response to heat or drought stress.

Raw cabbage leaves have a slightly bitter flavor and take on a mildly sweet, earthy aroma once cooked. However, the taste varies somewhat between cultivars; some are sweeter than others.

When choosing which types to plant, it’s beneficial to understand the differences between green, red, Savoy, and Napa cabbage varieties. Green and red cabbage plants usually have smooth leaves and grow dense, tight heads. Savoy cabbage cultivars produce ruffled leaves that have deep ridges, and the plants form looser heads. Napa or Chinese cabbage develops long, wavy leaves with an open head and has a mildly spicy flavor.

With so many different options available, you can find the perfect cabbage varieties to suit your needs. Here are some ideal kinds of cabbage for home gardens.

Best Cabbage Varieties

• Brunswick (heirloom, 6-9 pound heads, dark green leaves, stores well, exceptionally cold-hardy, 12-18 inches tall, 9-15 inches wide, 85-95 days to harvest)

• Earliana (heirloom, 2-3 pound heads, dark green leaves, fast-growing, 10-12 inches tall, 9-18 inches wide, 50-60 days to harvest)

• Early Jersey Wakefield (heirloom, 2-3 pound heads, bright green leaves, sweet flavor, bolt-resistant, 12-18 inches tall, 9-15 inches wide, 60-75 days to harvest)

• Golden Acre (heirloom, 2-3 pound heads, bright green leaves, fast-growing, disease-resistant, 12-15 inches tall, 9-12 inches wide, 60-70 days to harvest)

• January King (heirloom, 3-5 pound heads, dark green leaves tinged with purple, stores well, extremely cold-hardy, 12-18 inches tall and wide, 160-200 days to harvest)

• Mammoth Red Rock (heirloom, 5-8 pound heads, bright purple leaves, stores well, sweet flavor, 90-100 days to harvest)

• Red Acre (heirloom, 2-4 pound heads, deep purple leaves, sweet flavor, disease-resistant, 12-15 inches tall and wide, 75-100 days to harvest)

• Savoy Perfection (heirloom, 5-8 pound heads, crinkled green leaves, mildly sweet flavor, 12-14 inches tall, 18-24 inches wide, 90-100 days to harvest)

How to Grow Cabbage from Seeds

Since it’s a cool-season vegetable, it’s vital to plant cabbage seeds early enough to harvest before the weather gets too hot. Cabbage grows best when you direct-sow seeds in early spring as soon as your garden soil is above 40℉. In regions with a short spring growing season, start cabbage seeds indoors four to six weeks before the last frost date.

Fill a seedling tray, peat pots, or a repurposed cardboard egg carton with a nutrient-rich potting blend. Pre-moisten the potting soil to avoid disturbing the tiny seeds after planting. Press three or four cabbage seeds a quarter-inch deep into each cell and lightly cover them with soil. Protect the soil surface with a humidity dome or plastic wrap to hold in moisture.

The ideal soil temperature for germinating cabbage seeds is between 65-70℉. Germination takes about five to eight days or longer in cold soil.

Once the seedlings sprout, move them to a south-facing windowsill that gets six or more hours of bright light daily. If you don’t have a sunny location, use grow lights to keep them from growing elongated or “leggy.”

When to Plant Cabbage Outdoors

Although mature cabbage plants can withstand below-freezing temperatures, tender young seedlings need protection from frosts. Transplant cabbage seedlings after your region’s forecasted last spring frost date. Protect the young plants from frost and insect damage with a cold frame or floating row covers.

The spacing between each cabbage plant should be about 12-36 inches. Check the information printed on the plant label or seed packet for variety-specific growing recommendations. Overcrowding stunts plants’ growth and increases the risk of insect and disease problems.

For a fall crop, plant cabbage seeds in mid to late summer, approximately 70-100 days before the first autumn frost. Many growers report that their cabbage leaves taste sweeter after a light frost. It’s even possible to grow cold-hardy cabbage varieties throughout the winter in mild climates.

How Long Does Cabbage Take to Grow?

You might be wondering, “How long does cabbage take to grow?” While the exact harvest date varies between different cultivars, mature cabbage heads are typically ready for harvesting 70-140 days from planting seeds. Subtract two or three weeks when transplanting nursery-grown cabbage seedlings.

In regions with a short growing season, select fast-growing cabbage varieties. If you typically get mild summertime temperatures, try succession planting. Sow cabbage seeds every four to six weeks for a continuous supply of fresh cabbage throughout the growing season.

Optimal Soil and Fertilizer for Growing Cabbage

Cabbage plants need fertile soil that’s well-draining and rich in organic material. Add a generous layer of organic compost in late fall or early spring every few years to keep your garden soil healthy.

They prefer consistently moist soil, but the ground shouldn’t stay soggy for long periods. Mulch with bark chips, leaves, grass clippings, or pine needles to retain moisture, protect your garden soil from erosion, and suppress weed growth.

In addition to rich soil, cabbage plants are heavy feeders and may need additional fertilizer. There are three fundamental macronutrients present in plant fertilizer: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Nitrogen enhances green leafy growth, phosphorus encourages robust root systems, and potassium supports the plants’ fruiting and flowering processes.

Leafy green veggies like cabbage benefit from organic fertilizer with high nitrogen levels. Alfalfa, blood, and kelp meals are excellent ways to give your plants a fast nitrogen fix.

For slow-release granular fertilizer, apply every four to six weeks and follow the instructions on the product label. Or, feed your cabbage plants with a liquid fertilizer every three or four weeks. Fish emulsion is an excellent fertilizer for leafy vegetables.

Cabbage Plant Care

Plant your cabbage where it gets full sun to partial shade or about four to six hours of sunlight throughout the day. In warmer climates, providing protection from the intense afternoon sun helps to extend the spring growing season.

Cabbage plants need ample space to spread out in order to reach their fullest potential at harvest time. Spacing between each cabbage plant should be around 12-36 inches, depending on the variety. If you prefer smaller cabbage heads, plant them a little closer together.

Although cabbage plants need consistently moist soil, avoid overwatering. If the soil remains oversaturated for too long, the roots cannot absorb available nutrients and oxygen, leading to root rot. Give cabbage plants approximately one inch of water per week or more during especially dry or hot weather.

Harvesting and Storing Homegrown Cabbage

Cabbage heads should feel dense and firm when they’re ready to harvest. Use sharp, sterile pruners to cut the main stem an inch or two above the base. Keep the outer leaves intact to protect the inner cabbage head.

If you notice the plant starting to bolt or flower, immediately harvest all of the usable cabbage leaves possible before they turn bitter and tough. Then, remove the entire plant or let it flower and go to seed in the garden.

While the plant won’t regrow another full head, you can get a second, smaller crop of mini cabbage heads a few weeks after your first harvest, weather permitting. Leave several of the lower leaves when you cut the main head and maintain the plant as usual.

The outer cabbage leaves are also edible but have a tough texture and are best when cooked. They’re rich in vitamins and antioxidants and are great for preparing kimchi, sauerkraut, or soup.

Store freshly picked cabbage heads in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer for up to two weeks. Or, freeze them whole to extend the shelf life (use within six months). Other popular ways to preserve cabbage for long-term storage include fermenting and pickling.

Common Cabbage Pests

Brassicas sometimes suffer from a handful of pest and disease problems. It’s crucial to monitor your plants for signs of distress regularly. Healthy plants are considerably more resilient against attacks from insects and pathogens. Therefore, appropriate light, nutrients, and water levels are their best defense.

Common cabbage pests include aphids, cabbage loopers, cabbage root maggots, cabbage worms, flea beetles, and cutworms. Cutworms, cabbage loopers, and cabbage worms are moth larvae that feed on plants’ leaves, stems, and roots.

Cabbage root maggots are fly larvae. They hatch in the soil and eat cabbage roots, causing the plant’s leaves to turn yellow and wilt. Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, is a naturally occurring species of soil bacteria. It works as an effective and organic biological control for root maggots and other soil-borne larval pests.

Protect your cabbage seedlings with a cold frame or floating row covers in early spring to prevent insects from laying eggs on them. To treat a severe insect infestation, spray all plant parts with an organic pesticide like horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to kill eggs, larvae, and adult insects. Spread diatomaceous earth around the plant’s base to deter cutworms and root maggots.

Solutions for Plant Disease Problems

Clubroot and sclerotinia rot are diseases that come from soil-borne fungi. Unfortunately, there is no known effective treatment. The only remedy is to remove the infected plants and sterilize the soil through solarization.

After clearing the area, till your garden bed deeply, cover it in black plastic, and let it heat up the sun for several days. Repeat the process three or four times to eliminate the pathogens. However, solarization also kills beneficial soil microbes. It’s helpful to amend the soil with organic compost afterward to rebuild the microbiome.

Fungal diseases like black rot, downy mildew, and powdery mildew damage and discolor cabbage leaves. Spores often get transported by splashing water droplets. Utilize drip irrigation or soaker hoses to avoid wetting the leaves and ensure adequate soil drainage. Treat affected plants with an organic copper or sulfur fungicide.

Companion Plants for Cabbage

Companion planting takes advantage of mutually beneficial relationships between plants to attract beneficial insects, control pests, and create a healthy, interactive garden ecosystem. Some plant pairings reportedly improve one another’s overall growth and flavor. However, not all plants make friendly neighbors, and a few must grow in separate areas.

Aromatic herbs and flowers are excellent companions for cabbage plants. Dill, sage, and rosemary effectively repel cabbage moths. Chervil, parsley, and chamomile attract beneficial predatory insects like ladybugs, hoverflies, tachinid flies, and parasitic wasps (which don’t sting humans). Chamomile also improves cabbage’s flavor when grown nearby. Calendula and marigolds also repel pests and attract beneficial insects to the garden.

Alliums like chives, leeks, onions, and garlic are also beneficial to grow with cabbages. They ward off numerous pests, including aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles, slugs, deer, and rodents.

Veggies with similar growing requirements can also get cultivated in the same garden bed. Leafy greens like Swiss chard and spinach have complementary light, nutrients, and water needs. Beets and celery do too, and they repel cabbage moths.

Legumes like beans and peas have a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, which gives them the unique ability to fix nitrogen into the soil. This attribute makes them ideal companions for cabbage and other leaf crops. However, they must grow away from members of the Allium family, as these plants stunt one another’s growth. Learn more about this fascinating process in this article from New Mexico State University.

Grow cabbage away from lettuce, strawberries, and tomatoes. Brassica plants secrete chemicals from their roots that inhibit the growth of these crops. It’s also beneficial to plant varieties susceptible to similar pest and disease issues in separate areas.

Growing cabbage in your home veggie garden isn’t as complicated as it might first seem. As long as you provide consistent moisture, cool temperatures, and partial shade, you’ll be rewarded with a generous harvest of delicious and nutritious homegrown cabbage. In most regions, the best time to grow cabbage is spring and fall.

Do you have any suggestions or questions about growing cabbage? Please share them in the comments! If you found these gardening tips useful, please feel free to share this post about how to grow cabbage with your fellow green thumbs.