Basics
- Ease of Growing
- Moderate
- Grown as
- Biennial
- Days to Maturity
- 100 (Spring/Summer), 100 (Fall/Winter)
- Growing Habit
- -
- Hardiness
- Hardy
Cabbages are very hardy and can be frost tolerant.
- Crops
- Fall Transplant, Fall
- Growing Season
- Long
- Cultivar Type
- -
- Growing Conditions
- Cold, Cool
Start indoors 8 weeks before last frost, or outdoors March through June. Fast growing or stressed cabbages tend to split and bolt; cutting into the root system will slow growth and prevent splitting. Provide transplants with cutworm shield collars.
Cabbage prefers rich, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Water heavily from planting to head formation, then water moderately to prevent splitting. Cabbage is a hardy crop, grown best in cool spring and fall temperatures.
- Outdoor Growing Temp
- 40°F - 75°F
- Min Outdoor Soil Temp
- 45°F
Cabbage doesn’t do well in hot weather, as it causes excessive transpiration from the large leaves. It really needs cool weather and short days to head up satisfactorily.
- Start Indoors
- Yes
- Start Outdoors
- Yes
- Light
- Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cold, Cool)
Fun sun or partial shade in warm climates
- Water
- Moderate
Cabbages need a regular water supply to grow well, so keep the soil evenly moist. Heads may split if a heavy rain follows a long dry spell without irrigation.
- Feeder
- Heavy
Cabbages are hungry plants and must have rich soil if they are to produce well. They prefer heavy soil with lots of organic matter to retain moisture and lots of available nutrients (especially potassium and phosphorus). They don't need a lot of nitrogen however, as this can lead to sappy growth that isn't very hardy. Early varieties require a higher soil fertility than mid or late-season varieties.
- Suitability
- Tolerates light frost, Tolerates hard frost, Partial shade, Needs lots of space
- Small Gardens?
- No
- Containers?
- Yes
Cabbage does quite well in containers, so long as they are big enough. The ideal container for cabbage is at least 8" deep and 12" in diameter. In order to prevent root damage, make sure your container drains well. This can be done by lining the bottom of your container with a layer of small stones, or by placing holes in the bottom to ensure drainage of excess moisture. Maintain regular watering and keep the soil moist but not soaked. When your cabbage forms a head, gradually decrease watering to keep your heads from splitting.
- Attracts beneficial insects?
- No
- Color
- Green
- Fruit Size
- 7.0 - 14.0"
- Plant Height
- 12.0 - 18.0"
- Plant Diameter
- 15.0 - 18.0"
- Hardiness Zone
- 2-11
- Disease Resistance
- Taste Profile
Sweet and tender. Perfect for salads or sauerkraut. Also good cut greens.
- Rotation Group
- Leaves: Brassicas + Leafy Greens