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With the right timing and a little garden space, cabbage can be one of the most satisfying vegetables to grow–and one of the most versatile to eat!
Types of Cabbage
There are over 400 different cabbage varieties grown throughout the world, ranging in color, shape, and leaf texture! Despite the wide range of cabbage varieties, most American grocers are only likely to commonly carry green cabbage, red cabbage (purple), white cabbage, Napa cabbage (aka Chinese cabbage) and Savoy cabbage. Each type has its’ own unique flavor and nutrition profile, so whether you enjoy your cabbage as coleslaw, sauerkraut, cabbage rolls, or in salad it’s worth exploring different varieties to see what they have to offer. Who knows? You just might find a new favorite!
Getting Started
Cabbage is a cool-weather crop so it will grow best in climates where there is a long, cool growing season with temperatures between 45 and 75°F (7 to 24°C). You can grow it in early spring so that it is ready for harvest before the summer heat sets in (it will start to bolt at temperatures greater than 80°F or 26°C) or if you live in an area with mild-winters you can plant in mid to late summer for a winter or fall harvest (it can tolerate frost and briefly temperatures as low as 20°F or -7°C). Overall, temperatures between 39 and 75°F (4 and 24°C) prompt the best growth.
Start cabbage seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost in spring. When cabbage seedlings are 3 to 4 inches tall (7 to 10 cm) with 4 to 5 true leaves, the young plants can be transplanted to your vegetable garden after hardening off the plants over the course of a week. Alternatively, you can sow seeds directly into your home garden once soil can be worked in spring.
Where Best to Plant
Sow seeds half an inch deep, roughly one inch (2.5 cm) apart; thin plants to approximately12 to 24 inches (30 to 61 cm) apart in rows 24 to 36 inches (61 to 91 cm) apart. For an autumn harvest, start seedlings in summer about 12 to 14 weeks before the first expected frost and transplant into garden when plants are 4 to 6 weeks of age. Keep in mind, the closer you plant seedlings together, the smaller the cabbage heads you will be able to harvest. Also, the reduction in available nutrients will mean longer times to reach maturity.
Cabbage requires well-drained soil with a soil pH between 6.5 and 6.8, rich in organic matter and full sun. Since cabbage are heavy feeders (high level of nutrient requirements), to properly prepare the area, it is best to add plenty of aged compost or manure before planting. Adding a nitrogen-rich amendment such as blood meal will enhance leafy growth as well. Mulching around cabbage helps preserve soil moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Cabbage requires regular, even watering, making sure soil stays consistently moist – aim for one to one and a half inches of water every week, reducing watering as plants reach maturity to avoid splitting heads. The plants will benefit from continual nitrogen boosts, especially as the heads are beginning to form. You can side dress with compost every few weeks or use a liquid organic fertilizer. Cabbage does well when planted near onions, garlic, beets, or aromatic herbs such as rosemary or sage, which help repel unwanted pests. Avoid planting cabbage with other brassicas, strawberries and tomatoes.
Tight on space? No problem! You can even grow cabbage in containers that are at least 8 inches (20 cm) deep and wide.
If you’re feeling especially adventurous, you can even try re-growing cabbage from kitchen scraps in water, albeit in small quantities. First, slice off the bottom of the cabbage containing the stem. Then, place the cabbage bottom in a shallow bowl with a small amount of water, and place in a sunny area. Replace the water every few days. After 3 to 4 days, roots and new leaves will begin to appear. At this point, you can plant the rooting cabbage bottoms or leave them in the container, continually replacing the water. Harvest new cabbage leaves as needed.
Pests & Diseases
There are a number of pests and diseases that can affect cabbage plants. Pests to look out for include cabbage loopers, cabbage worms, aphids, slugs, caterpillars, flea beetles and cabbage root maggots. To help deter these pests, floating row covers, companion planting with herbs like thyme and rosemary, and introducing beneficial insects that are natural predators to these pests such as ladybugs can help.
Diseases affecting cabbage plants include clubroot, blackleg, and black rot. Remove and destroy diseased plants immediately. To help prevent disease, practice crop rotations by rotating cabbage and cabbage-family (Brassica) crops on a three-year cycle to help prevent buildup of soilborne diseases. Examples of cabbage-family crops include: kale, radishes, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower.
Harvest Time
Depending on variety, cabbage is ready to harvest anywhere from 2 to 5 months from seeding. With some careful planning you can enjoy cabbage ready to harvest at different times, extending your access to this fresh veggie for longer. Harvest when heads are firm and have reached the desired size, before weather becomes too warm. If harvesting in fall or winter, cabbage can sit under a blanket of snow without harm and will even taste sweeter when harvested in cool weather (just make sure to pull away the spoiled outer leaves). To harvest cabbage, leave the wide outer leaves and cut the mature head out of the centre at its base with a sharp knife. If you want additional heads from the same plant, when cutting the head, leave several leaves attached to the stem stump and smaller tennis ball-size heads may grow for later harvest. Immediately move plants out of the sun to avoid wilting. At the end of the season, remove the entire plant to reduce risk of disease.
No matter how you grow it, it’s worth the effort since nothing beats the taste of fresh picked cabbage straight from the garden!
Now that you have home-grown cabbage, all that’s left to do is decide how you are going to enjoy it. Will it be added to your fave soup, stir-fries, or used to make kimchi? Alternatively, you can store cabbage in a root cellar for 3 to 4 months!
Grow Your Own Garden
If you’re looking for help on how to grow other foods check out these posts!
