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 S
T T T T     T T T T T T
P P P       P P P P P P

(Best months for growing Cabbage in South Africa - Summer rainfall 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 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

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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?
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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?
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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.
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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..
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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.
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24 Mar 17, joel masola (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
can i grow cabbage in the same farm apart together with Tomatoes and spinach
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24 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
There is no reason why not. All the best with your vegetable growing!
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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.
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18 Mar 16, bonginkosi (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
hi interested in plant cabbage in the eastern cape Bizana would like to start in beggining of may l have loem soil in my garden can you plz advice me what time of seed and fertilizer to be used in my soil
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13 Dec 15, Andre (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I would like to plant cabbage in end of January. Is nuvoton good to be planted in january and at spacing between them and roughly how many can i plant per hectare
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Showing 11 - 20 of 35 comments
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Red cabbage seed is readily available from online or mail order seed companies. Search 'vegetable seeds' on the internet and you will find quite a number of seed companiees that advertise it. Trust this helps.

- John

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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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