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 Feb 20, Another gardener (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
If planted 1st DEC then they are about 12 weeks old. It says 11-15 weeks. It would depend what kind of cabbage you planted. A small kind or large variety. I grew red cabbage that are suppose to grow to 2-3kg but only grew to the size of small rock melon. You need some nitrogen fertiliser. N is for leaf growth, P for root development and K is for flowering and fruit growth. You should apply these before you plant generally. Too much N and you will have too much leaf. A handful of general fertiliser will cover about 1 square meter. Or place about 2 tablespoons of general fertiliser in 9 l of water and let it sit for a few hours, give a good stir and apply to the plants. It may be a bit late to do too much with your cabbage. Give it a go though.
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Jan 20, Ian (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have used, for the first time, garden domes from the ware house. At last I don't have to spray for white butterfly. The domes let nothing in due to the mesh size. Bees can get in but find it hard to get out. So I now have four of these domes. Snails, birds, you name it. Nothing can get in.
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Dec 19, Lea (Australia - temperate climate)
Sorry correction what bug or virus can affect a cabbage
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Dec 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I think the white cabbage moth is the main problem. Bugs and moths etc. are more prevalent when there is rain. So you would be checking the plants more often after rain. Research on the internet for more info on bugs etc. and for natural sprays. In warm/hot climates best time to grow cabbage is late summer to early spring.
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Dec 19, Lea (Australia - temperate climate)
Can affect a cabbage and how can they be treated naturally
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Aug 19, Glenn (Australia - temperate climate)
What PH level is best suited for cabbages do they like a bit of wood ash. Thank you.
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Aug 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Google it.
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Aug 19, Stephan (Australia - tropical climate)
I would like to find if there are variety of red/purple cabbage suited for tropical climates. I currently plant green cabbage and they firm nice heads. If there red/purple cabbage suited or can be planted in tropics
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Aug 19, anon (Australia - tropical climate)
Most plants can be sown in the tropics, you just have a narrow time to plant - so the crop grows in the cooler time of the year. Try Boondie Seeds they have some red varieties.
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Aug 19, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Eurobodalla and would like to grow Savoy Cabbage from seed - can I plant now, or is it too late....Mike
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 61 - 70 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.