Growing Cabbage

Brassica sp. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S     S S S        
      T     T T T      
      P     P P P      

(Best months for growing Cabbage in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 41°F and 64°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 20 - 30 inches apart
  • Harvest in 11-15 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile, thyme)
  • Avoid growing close to: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chili, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard, parsnip

Your comments and tips

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24 Sep 16, Bob Dobbs (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try some fertiliser - they respond well to fertiliser. Are they receiving enough water? Not too much, but enough to keep the soil moist. Are they in full sun, as they do best in full sun? All the best, Bob
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13 Jun 16, (Australia - tropical climate)
What type of soil is best for cabbage when growing it in a garden bed?
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18 Mar 16, bonginkosi (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
hi interested in plant cabbage in the eastern cape Bizana would like to start in beggining of may l have loem soil in my garden can you plz advice me what time of seed and fertilizer to be used in my soil
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13 Dec 15, Andre (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I would like to plant cabbage in end of January. Is nuvoton good to be planted in january and at spacing between them and roughly how many can i plant per hectare
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27 Oct 15, Gwyneth (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi,I live in Brisbane and i'm new to growing vegetables. This is the first time that I have grown Red cabbage , well any cabbage really, what I would appreciate knowing is, at what stage or how long does it take for the young cabbage to start forming the head.
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18 Oct 15, Joseph Mavhetha (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
What type of soil is suitable for cabage and how many times do you need to water it. And what chemical is used to stop bacteria from damaging it.
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05 Oct 15, Keith (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Early October 2015. I'm using 2 to 3 levels of shade cloth across all of my crops and adding ice to the water troughs in which my seedlings are struggling this spring. I think this is called "Global Warming". It was 34C in Pretoria today and the forecast is not promising.
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01 May 15, Hamilton Falange (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
How many times can we plant cabbage within a year? And what are the seasons. how much seed of cabbage per hector Thanks Regards
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06 Apr 15, Abdul (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Iam staying in the North West Province, Mahikeng Mmabatho area. I would like to know if I can plant cabbage now. The type of soil is clay. What type of fertilizer do I need to apply?
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11 Jan 15, hendrick (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I have planted tomatos and millies in my garden, and i need to plant cabbage end of march, pls advice if it is adviceable to.
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Showing 141 - 150 of 234 comments
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Hi Mike, A good tip with your compost is to mix 1 part of greens such as your plant residue & grass clippings (Nitrogen), with the same amount of brown material such as dried leaves, especially gum tree leaves & trigs (Carbon) mulched up in the mower, very important to have equal parts for a good balance, I rake up leaves & twigs around the parks & schools and around stormwater drains. Grass clippings & plant residue are great but full of nitrogen which will give you leafy caulis but no heads. Also, worm pee is very important, worm pee mixed with water @ 9:1 ratio & poured around the base of each plant every 3 weeks conditions the soil which releases the nutrients out of the soil for the roots to feed off, I start my worm pee after seedlings emerge in the seed trays, I keep my worm farm moist & I catch 1 litre a week, but next year I will be increasing that to 2 litres a week. I use my worm castings at planting time plus a side dressing every 2 months around my plants & use my worm pee as my tea. I have clay soil over here on the east coast and it took me years to get it friable but it paid off in the long run. Also, mulching around you plants is very important for moisture retention & worm activity, especially sandy soils. Dried gum leaves are so important in any soil as Carbon is a very important element for healthy growth. PS: Space your cabbages & Caulis & you will have great results. BR...….Steve

- Steve Donovan

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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