Cabbage Growing Guide: Tips for Planting, Care, and Harvesting
Cabbage is a popular cool-season crop that offers great nutritional value and versatility in the kitchen. Whether you’re planting green, red, or savoy varieties, this guide will help you grow healthy, robust cabbages for your garden.
Click here to access the complete Cabbage Growing Guide (PDF) for detailed information on soil preparation, planting, and long-term care.
Types of Cabbage
• Bok Choy: Pale green stalks with mild-flavored leaves.
• Green (Standard): Tightly packed, heavy green heads.
• Napa (Chinese): Mild-flavored oblong heads with ruffled leaves.
• Red/Purple: Small, tightly packed heads with vibrant color.
• Savoy: Lacy, deeply ridged leaves, tender texture.
• Ornamental: Colorful rosettes from cream to purple; primarily for decoration but edible.
Best Growing Conditions for Cabbage
Soil and Temperature:
• Soil pH: 6.0–7.5; well-drained, fertile soil.
• Temperature: Thrives at 60–65°F, tolerates light frost.
• Days to Emergence: 4–7 days, depending on variety and conditions.
Planting and Spacing:
• Seed Longevity: Up to 4 years when stored properly.
• Spacing: 12–24 inches apart, rows 18–34 inches wide (late-season varieties need more space).
Companion Planting:
• Good Companions: Cucumbers, thyme, mint, onions, celery, beets, potatoes.
• Avoid Planting Near: Strawberries, tomatoes, pole beans, and garlic.
Watering and Fertilization:
• Watering: Maintain consistent moisture to prevent head splitting. Use drip irrigation and mulch to retain moisture.
• Fertilization: Add amendments before transplanting and supplement with organic fertilizers like fish emulsion and kelp.
Planting Cabbage
Spring Planting:
• Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost.
• Plant seeds ¼–½ inch deep in a soilless mix.
• Maintain soil temperature at 60–70°F and provide sufficient light to prevent leggy growth.
• Transplant: When seedlings have 5–6 true leaves and nighttime temperatures are above 45°F, space them 12–18 inches apart.
Summer Planting (for Fall Harvest):
• Start seeds indoors in late May or direct seed in July.
• Transplant seedlings in June/July for a fall crop.
Harvesting Cabbage
• Check for Firmness: Squeeze heads; they should be firm, not loose.
• Prevent Splitting: Harvest if heavy rains are forecast.
• Cut: At the soil line or below with a sharp knife.
• Storage: Store in the refrigerator for several weeks. Early varieties have shorter storage times than late varieties.
Common Cabbage Pests and Diseases
Pests:
• Cabbage Aphids: Gray-green clusters on leaves. Control with strong water sprays, beneficial insects, or organic insecticides.
• Flea Beetles: Tiny holes in leaves. Use floating row covers and sticky traps.
• Cabbage Worms: Chew leaves. Hand-pick, use floating row covers, or organic insecticides.
• Cabbage Root Maggots: Tunnel into roots causing wilting. Cover young plants with row covers and avoid over-fertilizing with manure.
• Diamondback Moths: Larvae feed on leaf undersides. Hand-pick or use beneficial insects.
• Cutworms: Cut stems at the soil line. Use foil collars around stems.
Diseases:
• Clubroot: Causes root swelling and stunted growth. Rotate crops and raise soil pH to 7.2 with lime.
• Leaf Browning (Inner Tips): Caused by ammonium-based fertilizers and water stress. Use nitrate forms of nitrogen and ensure consistent watering.
Common Growing Problems and Solutions
Why Do Cabbage Heads Split?
• Result of sudden rain after dry periods or over-maturity. Harvest heads promptly if rain is forecast.
Can Cabbage Be Grown in Containers?
• Best for in-ground planting, but large, deep containers can work if moisture and nutrition are well-managed. Avoid grow bags.
Why Are Inner Leaves Turning Brown?
• Caused by ammonium-based fertilizers or water stress. Switch to nitrate-based fertilizers and maintain even soil moisture.
Pest Control Using Integrated Pest Management (IPM):
• Crop Rotation: Rotate crops annually to reduce pest populations.
• Row Covers: Use Agribon AG15 to protect plants from insects and birds.
• Cultural Practices: Remove plant debris after harvest to prevent pest infestations.
Why Grow Cabbage?
• Nutrient-Rich: High in vitamins C and K, antioxidants, and fiber.
• Versatile: Use in coleslaw, stir-fries, soups, or fermented dishes like sauerkraut.
• Cold Hardy: Withstands frost, making it ideal for spring and fall gardens.
