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
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
24 Aug 19, D, Daireaire (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello nice people I am mad about cabbage and would like to grow it all year round. Can you advise me which varieties to grow for each season please? Thankyou
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 71 - 80 of 234 comments
See comments for all plants

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

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.