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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15 Jan 14, irene sulivan (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
plenty of large leaves in my cabbage no heads average temp 15to 25 durin the day night temp below 8
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15 Apr 13, Germaine (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Rockingham western Australia, I am a fairly new vegetable gardener and have a very happy healthy looking crops growing. 2 days ago I noticed 1 of my cabbages and 1 brocolli have gone limp, why is this and what can I do? all my others look great
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21 Feb 13, juliet (Australia - temperate climate)
what pests are there for cabbages
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28 Oct 12, Ellie (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I live in Toowoomba and am fairly new to growing vegetables. Can someone please tell me which varieties of cabbage and cauliflower to plant NOW, (end of October 2012) that might be ready for eating within a reasonable period of time. I have some small cabbage coming along now but would like to grow more to hopefully ensure a continuing supply for the family. Thank you in anticipation.
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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
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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?
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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.
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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?
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24 Mar 12, pierrot (Australia - temperate climate)
If you like to stay organic, spread some chili oil ( or tabasco ) mixed with water regularly
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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!
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Showing 91 - 100 of 152 comments
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Just a friendly tip, I found Cabbage & Cauliflower are not compatible as companion plants, they hate each other. Last year I grew them in the same raised bed, what a disaster. I have now put them in separate raise beds with the beds 600mm apart and I now have a prolific crop of both. When I am raising the seedlings in the seed trays I also separate them by 300mm with very good results. Before I installed the raised beds I had small separate gardens all over my backyard and the plants were separated in different beds and I had prolific results back then. Hope this tip can help others

- Steve from Kanahooka NSW.

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