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 S S S S    
        T T   T T T T  

(Best months for growing Cabbage in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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 5°C and 18°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 50 - 75 cm 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 Australia | for all countries
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
26 Aug 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
It's probably a bit late to start Savoy as it prefers cold weather. Check the info under the cabbage tab /Australia Temperate zone
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 61 - 70 of 225 comments
See comments for all plants

I´m from a farm that grows a lot of cabbage and we observed this aswell in some parts of the arable. We explained it, that the cabbage defines its biggest state at an early point in its life. It seems to depend on how much water is avaiable in that state. So to prevent it from breaking you need to water it in the early stages more than in the later stages. If it has not enough water when it begins to grow it and to much later on it will break.

- Vincent

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.