Cabbage Growing Guide

This Cabbage Growing Guide will help you get the most out of your cool-season garden. Inside, we cover everything from planting and spacing to watering, fertilizing, and pest control, plus tips on harvesting and storage. We’ll also guide you in choosing the right cabbage variety for your garden—whether you want compact, early harvests, long-term storage, or tender leaves for fresh eating.

Quick Overview

Category	Details
Planting Time	Early spring & late summer/early fall
Soil Temperature	60-65°F growing temp
Sunlight Requirements	Full Sun (6-8 hours)
Watering Requirements	2" per week
Spacing (In-Ground)	Rows: 24-36", Plants: 12-18"
Spacing (Raised Bed)	12-16" apart
Fertilizer Guidelines	Heavy feeder - pre-plant and side-dress nitrogen

Growing Guide Details

Plant Classifications

Cabbage comes in three main types, each offering unique benefits for gardeners. Green cabbage is the classic round head variety, perfect for reliable harvests, fresh eating, and long-term storage. Red cabbage adds vibrant color and is packed with antioxidants, making it a favorite for slaws, pickling, and decorative garden beds. Savoy cabbage features crinkled, tender leaves with a mild flavor, ideal for fresh use or light cooking.

Gardeners focused on storage often prefer green or red types, while those seeking tender, flavorful leaves for small gardens gravitate toward savoy varieties.

What Variety to Choose?

💡

Cheers: Great all-around heat tolerant hybrid for consistent heads.

Charleston Wakefield: Early, pointed-head cabbage that matures quickly; perfect for small gardens and early spring harvests.

Red Acre: Compact, heat-tolerant red cabbage with great color; perfect for raised beds or short seasons.

Xtreme Vantage: Large, dense round heads with strong disease resistance; great for the east coast gardener.

When to Plant

Spring: Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost; transplant 2 weeks before frost.

Fall: Sow midsummer for late-season harvests.

Pro Tip: To prevent bolting avoid extreme heat. Cabbage is best grown in 55-75°F.

Light & Space Requirements

Sunlight: Full sun (6-8 hours/day) is essential.

In-Ground:

Row spacing: 24–36 in

Plant spacing: 12–24 in

Raised Beds: 12–24 in between plants

Pro Tip: We recommend transplanting cabbage and starting germination indoors.

Stonehead Cabbage

Soil & Fertility

Soil Requirements:

Adjust soil pH between 6.0–7.0

Rich in compost or organic matter

Loamy, well-drained soil

Fertilizer Schedule:

Before Planting:
Mix 1½ cups of HOSS Complete Organic Fertilizer per 10 ft of row

2-3 Weeks After Transplanting:
Sidedress with 2 cups of HOSS All-In-One Vegetable Fertilizer per 10-15 ft row.

If using Fertilizer injector, 1 cup 20-20-20 Fertilizer and 1-2 cups microboost per 20 ft row.

3-4 Weeks after transplanting:

Side dress of one cup of Hoss All-In-One Fertilizer per 10 ft of row.

If using fertilizer injector, Mix 1 cup of Hoss Premium Calcium Nitrate and 1-2 cups of Hoss Micro-Boost Micronutrient Supplement per 20-30 ft. row.

14 days later:

Rotate between the steps for 2-3 weeks and 3-4 weeks every 14 days.

Pro Tip: Consistent feeding improves head size and flavor.

Pest & Disease Control

Pest/Disease	Control Method
Thrips	Garden Insect Spray
Horn Worms	Garden Insect Spray, Monterey BT, Take Down, Take Out
Cabbage Looper	Garden Insect Spray, Monterey BT, Take Out
Aphids	Horticulture Oil, Bug Buster-O, Take Down, Neem Oil, Take Out
Flea Beetle	Horticulture Oil, Bug Buster-O, Take Down, Take Out
Whiteflies	Horticulture Oil, Bug Buster-O, Take Down, Take Out
Cutworms	Diatomaceous Earth, Take Out
Pythium Damping-off	Complete Disease Control, Garden Phos
Black Rot	Liquid Copper
Downey Mildew	Liquid Copper, Garden Phos
Powdery Mildew	Garden Phos
Alternaria	Garden Phos

Irrigation & Watering Schedule

• Needs 2” water per square foot each week.

• Keep soil consistently moist (not soggy)

• Use Drip Irrigation Kits to avoid wetting leaves and put mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture.

Xtreme Vantage Cabbage

Harvesting & Storage

Harvest: When heads are fully formed and firm to the touch. You can pull up the entire plant or use a sharp knife to cut the head at its base. Be sure to leave some of the leaves to keep the head protected.
Storage: Refrigerate fresh cabbage for up to 2 weeks wrapped lightly in plastic. Make sure it is dry before storing. It can be frozen for longer storage.
Preservation Tip: Avoid leaving heads to long on the plant before harvest as this can cause splitting.

Sustainability & Garden Tips

• Rotate with non-brassicas to avoid soil disease buildup.

• Compost healthy plants after harvest.

FAQs

Can I grow cabbage in containers?

Yes, choose pots at least 12" deep and wide. Use nutrient-rich soil and water consistently to prevent stress or splitting.

Why are my cabbage heads splitting?

Splitting happens when plants receive sudden heavy watering or rain after a dry period. Consistent watering and timely harvest reduce this risk.

How long does cabbage take to mature?

Most cabbage varieties mature in 65–90 days from transplant, depending on type and season.

Can cabbage grow in hot weather?

Cabbage prefers cool conditions (55–75°F). In warmer zones, plant early spring or late summer for fall harvest to avoid bolting.

What is the difference between green, red, savoy, and Chinese cabbage?

Green is the classic storage type, red adds color and antioxidants, savoy has tender crinkled leaves for fresh use, and Chinese types are fast-growing and great for stir-fries and kimchi.

Published on September 29, 2023
Updated on July 31, 2025

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