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 5°C and 18°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 50 - 75 cm 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

31 Jan 17, Kerry (Australia - temperate climate)
Can a drum cabbage be grown from sprouting core, the core has sent out roots not sure if I can put in garden, unfortunately sandy soil so do I need to add anything, I use liquid fertilizer on all my garden and I will not use any chemicals
04 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
A drum cabbage grown from a core will grow but will run up to flower and seed. The leaves can still be used as it grows and you can save the seed which germinaates very readily. yYou could use some of the seed for your next crop and put some on a tray of cotton wool and clip them with the scissors at 2 leaf stage to use as microgreens. Trust this helps
21 Jan 17, Peter (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello Does anyone know where I can get pontoise cabbage seeds or seedlings? Thank you
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.
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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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