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

28 Dec 16, tom green (New Zealand - temperate climate)
what is the best way to protect our cabbages from caterpillars that leave holes all over the leaves.we have tried derris dust but to no avail.
09 Jan 17, Alan (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Cheap environmental way is mix Baking soda and flour 50/50 and sprinkle on. They die within 48 hrs. If it rains you need to repeat but the solution is cheap enough and won't poison you?
02 Jan 17, Richard (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
The best way to protect from white butterfly caterpillar on brassicas is to cover with insect netting available form your hardware/garden store - I use a cloche system - very effective - no sprays no worries...
26 Oct 16, Charles (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Have eight cabbages growing nicely, about two feet tall - but no heads are forming. Have been fertilized, get sun (when it comes - a very wet winter up here at 705m). Advice welcome!
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.
19 Sep 16, Max Kufer (Australia - temperate climate)
What type of cabbage do I need for making Sauerkraut and what time of the year is it available
04 Oct 16, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm not sure if there is a preferred cabbage , but I just use the standard seedlings available from my local plant nursery. They work just fine.
15 Sep 16, Lee Patterson (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted five cabbage plants (my first ever) and they growing quite well. The outer leaves are spreading out. Do I have to tie them together or just leave them as is. Thank you.
24 Sep 16, Bob Dobbs (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
No, do NOT tie the outer leaves together. Older leaves spreading out is their natural growth, and soon the 'drums' will form in the centre of the plant. We are now getting into warm weather which means your cabbages are likely to be attacked by the white Cabbage Butterfly OR grey Cabbage Moth or both. It is not the actual butterfly nor moth that do the damage but the caterpillars that emerge from the eggs that they lay - usually on the underside of the leaf. You will need to spray the plants or, better still, cover them with mosquito netting so that the butterfly/moth cannot sit on the leaves to lay their eggs. My cabbages, cauliflower and broccoli have already been attacked in Brisbane and I am spraying them. All the best. Bob
23 Sep 16, Narelle (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi Lee, I had success with dwarf drum head cabbages recently (my first ever). I was very happy with the result. No need to tie leaves together, the outer leaves spread out and the centre formed by itself. I did need to spray with my home made garlic-chilli spray to keep grubs away. This worked a treat. Good luck with your cabbages.
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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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