How to Grow Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. capitata
Cabbage is a beloved brassica valued for its crisp leaves and versatility in salads, soups, and slaws. Gardeners prize this cool-season crop for its ability to thrive in cooler temperatures while providing abundant harvests throughout late spring and early fall.
📷 Wikipedia: CabbageStarting Cabbage: indoors or direct sow?
🏠 Start indoors 4 weeks before your last spring frost, then move the seedlings outside.
You can start seeds indoors four weeks before the last frost, then transplant seedlings outdoors once they have developed a few true leaves and the soil has warmed sufficiently.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 to ensure healthy root development. Sow seeds directly outdoors or start indoors 2 to 6 weeks before your last expected spring frost. Press seeds into the soil at a depth of about half an inch. Expect germination within 5 to 10 days once conditions are right.
Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart to allow proper air circulation and head formation. Keep moisture consistent to prevent heads from splitting, watering regularly as needed. Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Feed with balanced fertilizer if growth seems sluggish.
Watch for pests like cabbage moths and aphids; use row covers or insecticidal soap to manage them early. Fungal diseases such as clubroot can occur in wet soils, so ensure good drainage. Harvest heads when firm and full, typically between 70 and 120 days after sowing, by cutting the stem at the base.
When to Plant Cabbage
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | April – May | June – July | August – September |
| Zone 2 | April – May | May – July | July – September |
| Zone 3 | March – April | May – June | July – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | April – June | July – October |
| Zone 5 | February – March | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | January – February | March – April | May – December |
| Zone 9 | January | February – March | April – December |
| Zone 10 | January | January – March | March – December |
| Zone 11 | January | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 12 | January | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 13 | January | January – February | February – December |
