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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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
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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
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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
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26 Aug 19, Anon (Australia - tropical climate)
Generally people who live in different climate zones can not grow most things all year round. Reason most plants need a certain season - temp range - to grow. Things like too hot, or too cold, windy, chance of severe storms etc these all affect the chances of producing a good crop. Things like tomatoes, corn, egg plant caps need warm weather. Cold weather - cabbage broccoli, some lettuce etc.
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20 Jun 21, Agri (Australia - tropical climate)
Sometimes, you can tweak these constraints and create ur own micro climate. Go for the cabbages.
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25 Jun 19, Graham platt (Australia - temperate climate)
HI,,is it ok too cut off low leaves from my red cabbage while growing,,,,,thanks.
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09 Mar 19, Ken (Australia - temperate climate)
I have beds made from very large plastic drums which I have made waist high frames to keep them in (sturdy). My question is, "how deep does the root system of Red Cabbages go"? I am on the south coast of NSW and most shops do not have red cabbage. I make a lot of stir frys and coleslaw. Thanks
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10 Mar 19, Mike Logan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
About 30cm would be enough - but I would make them 50cm deep of soil. I take it you may have used the top/bottom of a 200 liter drum. Or you could cut them long ways - more area of garden.
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15 Dec 18, Doreen (Australia - temperate climate)
Is there anywhere in Australia where I can buy spring cabbage or the seeds
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17 Dec 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Never heard of them - looks like a sugar loaf cabbage. Look up some seed selling companies.
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Showing 41 - 50 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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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.
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