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
31 Oct 18, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Use the Vegetables and Herbs tab to find the vegetables, then set your zone at the top of the page - e.g (South Africa- Dry summer sub-tropical climate) . The months for planting are shown in the little coloured boxes at the top. e.g. P for plant or sow seed
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Aug 18, Adam (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi! Can you please provide us with contacts of those who can help blacks emerging farmers. Planting cabbages is not an issue but market it is. If companies like tiger brand can come on board to help us we can be like those who are in cash crops farming knowing where to supply. Thank you (Gardenate is NOT a farming advisory service, so this is a one-off posting)
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Jul 18, Kagiso (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
My farming area is in the lowveld southern Limpopo area and wanted to plant cabbages in this August September months. I will solely depend on borehole irrigation. My region is hot in summer and my soil is red loam and I used chemical fertilizer to enrich. Is this the right time?
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Mar 18, Gabela Abongile (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
To whom it may concern. I would like ask what vegetable crops are suitable fro planting between April and June in semi-arid areas? Furthermore, how are those crops handled in terms of fertilizer, irrigation, herbicides?
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Oct 17, Linda (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Dear Sir/Men how can I make the soil to be good for cabbage I'm interested.I'm in Eastern Cape who can advice me in my province there's life on ploughing (growing?) vegetables. When I retired I want plough (grow?) a lot of cabbages.
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Apr 17, Hans Kaderli (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Is it possible to plant cabbage on cabbage if you have a good pest and desease programme in place. This is for large scale 6ha..
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Apr 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
It is not a good idea to replant cabbages in the same soil that you have just harvested cabbages from. The risk from soil-borne diseases and nutrient deficiencies would be the main problem. You would also be creating a continuous feast for insect pests. You would be better to have at least another crop in between, say pumpkins for autumn harvest, then replant cabbages after manuring the soil. This would reduce the insect pest problem as you would be growing them in the cooler months when there are not as many insects about. Zucchinis/courgettes would be another high yielding crop you could grow.
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Mar 17, joel masola (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
can i grow cabbage in the same farm apart together with Tomatoes and spinach
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
There is no reason why not. All the best with your vegetable growing!
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Sep 16, Riesl (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I'm in Limpopo valley close to Loskopdam. Can i plant drumhead from October to January.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 11 - 20 of 37 comments
See comments for all plants

Seedlings of early cultivars should be thinned to15 to 18 inches apart and late cultivars to 2 feet apart, once they form two true leaves. To avoid damaging the roots of remaining plants, snip extra plants off instead of pulling them out of the ground. Apply an organic fertilizer when plants are half grown

- Paul Gilbert

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.