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Last Updated on August 16 , 2023

Let ’s learn how to grow cabbage ! Cabbage is wonderfullydiverse and nutritious , and I remember it ’s really beautiful too . idealistic new eating , storage or preserving , lucre is a staple for stir - fries , coleslaw , sauerkraut , kimchi , wrap , soups and more . regard cabbage is one of our pet crops to grow ( and I ’ve even been dubbed “ the cabbage queen ” a time or two ) this acquire guide is long overdue .

A woman is holding a large head of freshly harvested green cabbage. There are many darker loose leaves surrounding the solid head of light green cabbage.

Read along to pick up everything you take to cognise to grow cabbage from seed ( or nursery seedling ) to harvest . We ’ll explore the best time of yr to grow cabbage , plant and care tips , our favorite mixed bag , when and how to harvest wampum , and how to practiced store , use or preserve it . This guide will also troubleshoot some likely issues such as pests , disease , and split clams heads .

At a Glance

Cabbage is a versatile crop that can be grown in awide range of climate and condition . Cabbage is cold - hardy and prefer nerveless raise temperatures ( particularly during maturement ) though it can successfully grow during the heat of summer too ! bet on the smorgasbord , cabbage can take anywhere from2 to 4 months to mature(65 to 100 + day ) from seed to glean . Many varieties defy up in cold storehouse for several months post - harvest .

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A close up image of red cabbage head cut in half along its equator, revealing a beautiful swirl of purple and white leaves layered upon each other.

When to plant cabbage

The unspoiled time to embed cabbage inmostgrowing zones isearly - to - mid summerin preparation of a tumble harvest . clams that spends its final daysmaturing in cool conditionswill be exceptionally more red-hot , cutter , and sweet - taste compared to swipe that matures during hot summer atmospheric condition .

That tell , gardeners that have a long produce season ( for example geographical zone 8 or higher ) and/or those with balmy summertime temperatures can also implant chou in the early springtime for a summer harvest . Here on the temperate Central Coast of California , we can grow cabbage essentially twelvemonth - rotund !

Types of cabbage to grow

Cabbage is incredibly various ! There are classic orotund fleeceable heads of dinero , blood-red versions , savoy Brassica oleracea with ruffled leave , and tender elongated Napa cabbage , which is specially popular to make kimchi . Within each of those groups , there aredozens of unique varieties , shapes , and sizesof cabbage to try and grow ! Not to refer that Brussels sprouts , bok choy , kale ( aka leaf moolah ) and many others are technically members of the cabbage house .

understand variety descriptionsto determine if a especial type of cabbage is ideal for long terminal figure storage , matures other or late , offers instinctive disease resistance , or other unique attributes .

We always like to grow several different varieties , colors and sizing . We also select cultivars with varying ontogenesis times , plus those with secure “ field storage ” abilities ( e.g. can be left in the garden for a while , even after they ’ve reach out a harvestable size ) giving us a nicestaggered harvestof dough over several month .

A planting calendar for zone 9 which shows when to start seeds inside and out, first and last frost dates, as well as when to transplant for a variety of vegetables.

Some ofour favorite cultivated cabbage varietiesinclude : Integro(mid - sizing red),Expect(dense green heads with celebrated warmth leeway and good long full term computer storage capacity),Capture(medium green heads , nifty disease ohmic resistance but short storage life),Deadon(large sage light-green heads kissed with purple streaks , extra dusty - hardy),Caraflex(small conical William Green heads),Megaton(massive 10 - 17 Cypriot pound promontory ! ) , andEmiko Napa cabbage(a compact , bolt - kind Napa cabbage kind ) .

Starting cabbage from seed

To produce dinero from seed , follow typical seed - starting best practice outlined below . If you ’re new to growing from seed , stop by ourSeed start 101 guidefor more detailed tips on enhance seedlings indoors ! If you are n’t growing from seed , check outthis articleto memorize how to choose the best seedlings at the nursery .

Planting cabbage seedlings (spacing)

Plant simoleons seedlings outdoors on a calm day with no extreme weather in the forecast . We like to add a handful ofworm castingsin each planting maw as a gentle boost of nutrients to further intelligent root development . Water well after planting . It ’s hunky-dory to slightly bury the theme of tallleggy seedlingsas long as they ’ve been properly season off .   If needed , protect tender seedling from frost photograph ( explained more to follow ) .

space requirementsfor cabbage flora look on the diverseness . In cosmopolitan , plan to space cabbage plants about2 understructure apart . Some minor or more compact cultivated cabbage varieties can be spaced as close as 12 ” , while redundant - large cultivars may need up to 3 understructure of blank . I like to grow cabbage in staggered rows ( slightly offsetting each plant ) to maximise the number of plants I can fit per bed .

Sun, soil, water & fertilizer requirements

How cold can cabbage plants withstand?

While clams does choose cool weather overall , it can be damaged by freeze conditions . Cabbageseedlingsare far more frost - sensitive than mature cabbage plant , which can support temperature down to26 ° F once established . If the temperature drops below 32 ° degree Fahrenheit , protect simoleons plant by covering them withfrost cloth – or an top side down bucket over the top ! Remember to remove cover ( bucket particularly ) during the daylight when temperatures rise .

Can I grow cabbage in a pot?

utterly ! Cabbage can be originate in containers , though you ’ll desire to utilise a large enough dope to affirm a healthy plant life of its size . little containers are more prostrate to drying out , and will postulate more frequent fertilizing . So , acquire scratch in a container that hold at least 5 gallon of soil and is at least 12 inches wide by 15 to 18 inches deep . A 15 to20 gallon turn bagwould work out well , but would need more steady watering than a put up layer or in - basis garden .

Cabbage Pests and Disease

The most commoncabbage pestsincludeaphids , slugs or snails , and caterpillars – including ably - named bread moths , cabbage worms , and cabbage loopers . Beyond insects , other garden visitor may be draw to dough ( specially tender young works ) such as razzing , rodents , deer , rabbits , and others . One interesting thing I ’ve observed is that pests areless draw to purplecabbage salmagundi compared to green – especially caterpillars and wench !

Cabbage pest mastery measures depend on the austereness of the infestation . scrutinize plants often to captivate issues early!It ’s gentle to spot and hand - smush a few cabbage louse eggs , or blow aphids off leaves with a firm current of water . Protect cabbages from more relentless pests with physical barrier likehoops and insect gauze , naturalBT sprayfor Brassica oleracea worm , orDIY scoop sprayfor aphid .

Commoncabbage diseasesinclude a variety of different bacterial or fungous infection such as powdery mould , downy mildew , black rot , bacterial soft rot , and others . Many of these cabbage diseases coincide with wet foliation , so it ’s best to weewee cabbage at the base of the plant and nullify splashing the folio as much as possible . Good industrial plant spacing ( air flow between plants ) and soil health routines ( e.g. using biologically - participating compost and mycorrhizae ) can help prevent disease as well .

Two freshly harvest heads of cabbage, one green and one red with many of their outermost leaves still attached sit on a skinny dark walnut table. Sprigs of fava bean leaves and broccoli heads fill out the space surrounding the cabbage. Grow cabbage for a nutritious vegetable that tastes great and stores really well.

relate : How to get free of lettuce worms,9 ways to control aphids , andorganic lick and escargot ascendency method

Troubleshooting: Why did my cabbage split open?

shekels heads may split open for a number of reasons . It happens fast too ! One minute it look all right , and the next solar day – bam ! It ’s cracked or busted open .   Do n’t worry , rip dough isstill skillful to eatthough ! Simply cut around any iffy - expect parts and enjoy the rest .

Themost common causeof splitting cabbage is when a mature sugar headsuddenly immerse too much weewee – such as after a heavy rain , or from being overwatered after a teetotal spell . So , pluck your large firm cabbage heads before a big rainstorm ! Remember that mulch is fundamental in maintaining evenly dampish ground , preventing the wet yo - yo that cabbage hates . Usingdrip irrigationalso offer up steady , slow , deep water supply – saint for kale .

fledged cabbages may also split if they ’re go away in the field of view longpast their prime . Have you ever reckon about where cabbage semen comes from ? If you do n’t harvest cultivated cabbage in a well timed way , it will crack open and eventually grow flowers ( and later seed ) from the center or core of the headspring .

A 6 cell pack of cabbage seedlings is held above a raised garden bed that is empty of plants and will be the home of the new cabbage seedlings.

in the end , over - feedingyour dinero late in the growing time of year can lead to split headland , brought on by the sudden burst of nutrients and ontogeny . Once your cabbage begins to form a nous , reduce or obviate adding fertilizer .

When and How to Harvest Cabbage

you may recount cabbage is quick to harvest by feeling it . A mature mind of cabbage willfeel dense and tight , while green cabbage heads feel leafy and loose . The size of mature pelf can vary greatly depending on variety . Some cabbage head are the size of a softball , while others are basketball sizing or larger !

If the diverseness is known to have good “ champaign storage ” ability , you could in spades entrust them out in the garden for a while after they ’ve extend to a harvestable size ( conditions permitting of row ) . We ’ve left some of ours for a couple months after they headed up without government issue !

It ’s comfortably toharvest cabbagein the former morning while it ’s coolheaded , crisp , and firm . To reap cabbage , you could either :

A raised garden bed against the side of a house is full of red and green cabbage with fava beans growing in the back, closest to the wall of the house. The cabbage heads are varied in maturity, some forming small heads while others are more leafy. Grow cabbage for bountiful harvests of delicious and nutritious vegetables.

Will cabbage grow back after cutting?

Yes , chou will raise more sister head teacher of cabbage once the main head is removed ! For this to happen , reap the master head by cutting just below the base of the head , but leave several inch of fore and a handful of old leave behind to raise .

Within a few weeks you should see new baby boodle bud start to form . If multiple bud regrow , trim some off to allow only two or three to develop . The unexampled cabbage “ side - heads ” wo n’t be as orotund as the first one , but they ’re still a great piddling treat if you have prison term and space to leave your scratch plants to regrow !

Are cabbage leaves edible?

Absolutely . The sluttish outercabbage leaf are 100 % edible . They ’re like a hybridizing between cabbage and collard cat valium . However , because the extinct cabbage leaves are often quite old , tattered , and even bonkers by the end of the time of year , they are n’t inevitably the most enticing . We usually flow them to our volaille or chuck them in the compost pile .

Yet if you do want to cook with them , I suggest removing the rib ( like de - stemming kale ) and cooking them long enough to get untoughened . That said , cabbage leaf are a great addition to soup ! young , more supply ship cabbage leaves are popular to make cabbage rolls .

How to Store Cabbage After Harvest

off all the loose or discredited outer leaves from the clams head . If ask , trim the root word down to be flush with the bottom of the head . Leave un - washed until role . For the best long - term caliber , store lucre in the icebox wind in a formative handbag ( tied or prune shut ) . Many cabbage varieties will last for several months salt away in the refrigerator . Even if a little mold starts to spring up on the proscribed folio or bow , that can be cut off . The inner parcel of the straits should still be good !

Ways to Use and Preserve Cabbage

Use tonic bread insoups , stew , stir - fry , coleslawand more . Aaron ( Mr. DeannaCat ) take a crap a mean value coleslaw!Get our slaw recipe here . I also lie with simple sautéed kale with a little olive oil or butter , Strategic Arms Limitation Talks , white pepper , and garlic . you may grill or knock dough , or eat it raw in salads or wraps ! Check outthis round - upof over 50 cabbage formula for more ideas .

There are a bit of ways to preserve cabbage . One of our personal favorites is to makehomemadesauerkraut . make ferment kimchi is another similar option . To freeze cabbage , cut it into bite size pieces , quickly blanch it ( two transactions or less ) , go around onto a towel - lined pan to dry , and then pack into Deepfreeze bags . We also use and preserve cabbage by incorporate it into freezer - friendly soup recipe . Crystal ’s book ?

That wraps up this cabbage grow guide.

A close up image of a red Kalibos cabbage growing. It has many large, looser leaves surrounding the small conical head. Beyond are a few more cabbage plants along with chard, kale, and onions.

A hand is holding a head of red Kalibos cabbage after it has been trimmed of the extra loose leaves that surround the main head. It is dark magenta in color and forms a conical head. Grow cabbage varieties that interest you as there are many to be found.

The inside of a cabbage plant is shown, a cabbage worm is hidden on a leaf, happily eating away on the greens.

A red cabbage growing is shown that contains some type of brown rot on its leaves.

A large green cabbage growing in a raised bed has had its head busted open from the inside out due to heavy rain before the cabbage was harvested.

DeannaCat’s hand is resting on a head of green cabbage as it grows for size reference. It is a large cabbage with many outer leaves surrounding its head. There are carrot greens in the background growing in the same raised bed.

A two part image collage, the first image shows a man cutting out a cabbage head with a pruning saw. The second image shows the man holding the head of cabbage with the lower portion of the plant remaining in the raised bed. Tough outer leaves are what remains. Grow cabbage to add a variety of vegetables to your garden.

A freshly harvested green cabbage head after it has been cleaned of the excess loose leaves around it. It is on a digital scale, weighing in at 9 lbs and 5 oz. Grow cabbage for a healthy vegetable that can store in the fridge for months.

A white ceramic bowl full of freshly prepared coleslaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, and sunflower seeds, garnished with a sprig of dill. Garnishing the area around the bowl are a few carrots, a quarter head of cabbage, and a wooden cutting board with some cabbage scraps.

DeannaCat signature, keep on growing