Growing Cabbage

Brassica sp. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Feb	Mar	Apr	Jul	Aug	Sep
S			S
	T	T		T	T
	P			P	P

(Best months for growing Cabbage in USA - Zone 7a 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

There are many varieties of cabbage.

Those which stand winter weather usually have darker leaves and a stronger flavour, e.g. Savoy.

Red cabbage is grown in a similar way to green varieties.

In temperate climates ff you plant a selection of types you can have cabbage growing all year round.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Cabbage

Young spring cabbage can be chopped and added to salad greens.
Steaming preserves the goodness and flavour of cabbage.
Can also be used in stir-fry.
Red cabbage chopped and cooked with brown sugar, red wine, onions, vinegar and stock is served with boiled bacon or pork.

Your comments and tips

13 Sep 10, delroy curling (USA - Zone 10a climate): How do you plant 10.000 cabbage seeds. Regards Delroy
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15 Mar 12, Ana (Australia - temperate climate): You and I are having the silimar way of stir-frying cabbage, just that I usually saute a few small dried shrimps (Chinese ingredients) before putting in the cabbage. To me, greens are almost a must when dinning at home. That is why I have got quite a couple of vegetable recipes on my blog though it is just started.
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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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01 Nov 20, Martin (New Zealand - temperate climate): Growing cabbage for seed. What is the best way to hold plants so they don’t fall over
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02 Nov 20, (USA - Zone 10a climate): Stake them.
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24 Feb 21, Tami (USA - Zone 8a climate): Can you plant cabbage with garlic?
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25 Feb 21, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Go to the cabbage page and read what cabbage is compatible with. The green tick symbol.
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07 Dec 21, Ben (USA - Zone 8b climate): I live in the Midlands of South Carolina. I think it's agricultural zone 8. Looking for cabbage I can plant right now
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11 Dec 21, (USA - Zone 8b climate): Too late to plant now - check the planting guide here.
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28 Dec 21, Elisabeth (USA - Zone 7b climate): Well, not entirely true. I got some cabbage seedlings from a nursery that was tossing them. We put them in to the ground on December 3. Then we have them covered with a small hoop house. We also have some incandescent lights to add just enough heat when the temps dip down into the twenties.(F.) You can grow them and they are a challenge, but brassicas like cabbage, kale and broccoli are pretty frost hardy if you give them cover.
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Young seedlings can be affected by sudden changes of temperature. To prevent this seedtrays are usually kept under cover for a few weeks. Any area which mantains even, frost-free, temperatures 24 hours will do. e.g. Unheated greenhouses, a covered area close to the house, or small frames covered with frostcloth or with a piece of fabric like old bed sheets. If possible put the trays above ground level. Too much strong sunlight can do as much damage as cold nights to seedlings.

- Liz (Gardenate)

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Growing Cabbage

Brassica sp. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Cabbage

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