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            
        T T T T        

(Best months for growing Cabbage in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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

17 Apr 10, Brian Palfreyman (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sorry Annalisa 18/sept 09 Ii ve in Caboolture ,theres no way cabbages grow well in the summer months in Brizzie,way to hot,and any that do survive 30-35oc go to seed real quick
28 May 10, Sarah (Australia - temperate climate)
My small chinese cabbage seedlings leaves are turning yellow. What do i need to add to the soil?
28 Aug 10, Bryn Parrott (Australia - temperate climate)
My 'Wombok' cabbages were grown from seedlings bought from the nursery. They are growing in clay based heavy loam but well drained soil found commonly in Adelaide. They are growing well, but seed heads are forming (look a bit like tiny broccoli) and there are stems... Are they the wrong variety, is it the wrong season - why are they not forming cabbage heads ?
15 Oct 10, Lionel Harris (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted a number of cabbage seedlings 6/8 weeks ago and the whole lot went to seed,WHY!!!
15 Oct 10, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It may be too warm for that variety, or else they got stressed (lack of water, too much heat) at some point?
16 Oct 10, mick (Australia - temperate climate)
same hear i blame bunnings for selling them to late in season
04 Nov 10, Sasha8268 (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted wombok starting from seed - it has grown beautifully but it is prickly on the leaves (not edible at all) and did not grow to the normal head of cabbage is just fallen leaves. Has anyone else had this problem?
05 Nov 10, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Maybe the seed was something feral, or saved from an F1 hybrid so would not grow true?
06 Jun 12, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have grown HEAPS of bokchoy, and i save the seed each year. About 10% of it is always the prickly leaf (not good to eat) kind of bokchoy. I feed it to the chooks.
05 May 11, Samantha Diplaris (Australia - temperate climate)
Ive just planted cabbage seedlings that I bought from Bunnings, and already 2 weeks after I did this - I noticed that all the small leaves have been eaten...?? What could this be & how best do I stop it from happening to new leaves?
Showing 31 - 40 of 152 comments

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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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