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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01 Nov 20, Allen Lee (Australia - temperate climate)
Small snails are attacking plants even my passionfruit now into cabbages found some in my lemonade tree too!!
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05 Jun 20, Helen Prince Bailey (USA - Zone 7a climate)
Cabbage question... Should we cut the bottom leaves? Especially if it is dying (yellow or just shriveling)? Thanks!
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20 Apr 20, Kaye moore (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What do u spray cabbages with to keep grubs out
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06 Dec 20, Glenn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Nothing - simply place a small piece of mosquito netting over the cabbage with a couple of sticks to keep it off the cabbage to stop the white cabbage moths landing to lay eggs. Bingo: another step to organic cabbages.
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01 May 20, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
You can make organic spray from garlic or mix olive oil with water and add a squirt of liquid soap. Lots of ways to do it , just search online for some others using chilli or neem oil. Goodluck!
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21 Apr 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look on the internet for 1. chemical sprays at Bunnings or nurseries or 2. if you want organic, look for one of them. You can buy some organic ones or make then up yourself.
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23 Apr 20, Gozer DeLino (Australia - temperate climate)
You can use "Take Down" from Monterey. It is a Pyrethrin based organic spray.
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02 Mar 20, Anele (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
How to plant cabbage in year round production
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02 Mar 20, anon (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
In semi arid you can't by the guide here,. If you really want to try ,buy a very good shade house and try.
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23 Feb 20, Rsshied (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Good day. I am growing cabbages,i planted it from the tray that i got form Stodels. I planted it in 1 December 2019 and its heads are looking very small. What should i feed the cabbages with. Thank you.
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Showing 51 - 60 of 226 comments
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I am sub-tropical and I'm just finishing picking my broccoli and cabbage. I had a couple of weird red cabbage and ice berg lettuce that were all big leaf and no heart. Same plants right next to each other, one good, one just leaf. If massive leaves then I think too much N fertiliser or just a rogue seed or something. I bought these as seedlings. Talking to an agronomist last week and he said these winter crops need cool/cold weather to form a heart. He said if the weather was hot for week or so when they were to head up then this might have stopped them. I have only grown red cabbage the last 3 years and have a big variation in the size and quality of the heart.

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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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