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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
24 Sep 12, Ian Campbell (Australia - temperate climate)
I want to know the same thing, I really miss those succulent dark green leaves they make a Sunday roast
Reply or Post a new comment
03 Sep 12, Eugene Plachta (Canada - Zone 5b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
What variety would you recommend for this (Okanagan) region as I have tried a couple types and am not having a good turnout. First problem was splitting heads, then in the next year the plants were turning yellow and basically died. The soil is reasonably rich and I had planted in the same place where I grew the previous variety which were healthy but had split almost every head. And of course I do have the bug problem too.
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Aug 12, marie (Australia - temperate climate)
My cabbage has been going for about 12-13 weeks now. It has large outer leaves but the cabbage head has not started to form yet. Any suggestions as to why?
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Aug 12, Solly (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can I plant cabbages throughout the year in the south of Johannesburg, almost near the vaal triangle & what are the proceedures & requirements? Gauteng, South Africa
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Apr 12, Faye (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
What is the most likely cause of holes (something eating) in my cabbage leaves in early stage (nursery seedlings in ground 4wks now) of growth and what is the most 'natural' way of fixing problem? I am new to veggie gardening in northern tasmania - we are about 400m high and reasonably cool climate since planted (some very cold days). In a raised bed with well prepared soil - planted next to beet and baby round carrots.
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Mar 12, Paul Gilbert (United Kingdom - warm/temperate climate)
Seedlings of early cultivars should be thinned to15 to 18 inches apart and late cultivars to 2 feet apart, once they form two true leaves. To avoid damaging the roots of remaining plants, snip extra plants off instead of pulling them out of the ground. Apply an organic fertilizer when plants are half grown
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Mar 12, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I also have had my cabbage leaves eaten by the hungry little blighters. I have cut the really damaged leaves off to assist with healthier growth to the ones remaining. Is that the right thing to do though?
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Mar 12, pierrot (Australia - temperate climate)
If you like to stay organic, spread some chili oil ( or tabasco ) mixed with water regularly
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Mar 12, Elina (United Kingdom - warm/temperate climate)
Hello, thank you for your advice. Do you spread the tabasco mixture around the plants or on the plants themselves? Many thanks in advance!
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Nov 11, Rex (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I wonder if you can tell me if cabbages can resow themselves ? I have cabbages growing along my fence a long way away from my garden so don't know how they come to be there
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 161 - 170 of 226 comments
See comments for all plants

I am sub-tropical and I'm just finishing picking my broccoli and cabbage. I had a couple of weird red cabbage and ice berg lettuce that were all big leaf and no heart. Same plants right next to each other, one good, one just leaf. If massive leaves then I think too much N fertiliser or just a rogue seed or something. I bought these as seedlings. Talking to an agronomist last week and he said these winter crops need cool/cold weather to form a heart. He said if the weather was hot for week or so when they were to head up then this might have stopped them. I have only grown red cabbage the last 3 years and have a big variation in the size and quality of the heart.

- Anonymous

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.