How to grow Cabbage
Brassica oleracea (Capitata)
Dense, storable heads for slaws and kraut.
Cabbage is a hardy cool-season crop that stores well and turns into kraut and slaw. Grow it in spring or fall; fall heads take light frost and sweeten.
Grow Cabbage with step-by-step help for your exact yard.
Start free in Seededly →Cabbage at a glance
| Sun | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Spacing | 18 in |
| Harvest | 70–95 days |
| Plant | Spring & fall |
| Note | Stores well |
How to grow Cabbage, step by step
Transplant into firm soil
- Start indoors, transplant while weather is cool; space 18 in.
- Firm, rich soil grows tight heads.
Water evenly
- Steady moisture is key — a sudden drink after dry spells splits heads.
- Mulch to even out soil moisture.
Harvest firm
- Cut when the head feels solid and firm.
- Fall heads take light frost and store for weeks in a cool spot.
Cabbage problems & fixes
Cabbage — Head splits open: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Uneven water — a big drink after drought. Water steadily; a slight root twist can slow a near-ripe head.
Cabbage — Ragged holes in leaves: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Cabbage worms/loopers. Net the bed; use Bt.
Cabbage — Plant stunted, roots swollen: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Clubroot. Rotate brassicas and lime acidic soil toward neutral.
Recommended cabbage varieties
- Golden Acre — Early. Fast, compact green heads.
- Brunswick — Storage. Big, dense heads that keep for months.
- Red Acre — Red. Deep-red, crunchy, great for kraut and slaw.
Cabbage month-by-month
| January | Off-season. |
|---|---|
| February | Order seed. |
| March | Start spring transplants. |
| April | Transplant out while cool. |
| May | Heads begin to form. |
| June | Harvest spring heads. |
| July | Start fall transplants. |
| August | Grow on. |
| September | Heads form for fall. |
| October | Fall harvest — sweet after frost. |
| November | Store the keepers cool. |
| December | Off-season. |