Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) is a leafy green vegetable that comes in a densely packed head.
Most gardeners grow it as an annual and harvest it within one growing season for peak quality.
You canstart seeds indoorsaround six to eight weeks before your area’s projected last spring frost date.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
Container growth is also an option for cabbage, though it can result in a smaller yield.
Spacing, Depth, and Support
Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep.
Thin seedlings to around 18 inches to 2 feet apart.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
No support structure will be necessary.
More space will generally result in larger heads.
But it also can tolerate light shade, especially in warm climates.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
Soil
Cabbage prefers aloamy, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.
Mix some compost into the soil before planting.
In addition, a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH is best.
Water
Cabbage needs consistent soil moisture to produce crisp and juicy heads.
Irregular watering can result in a bitter taste or misshapen heads.
Water is necessary to keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy.
Adding a layer of mulch around your cabbage will help to retain soil moisture.
Temperature and Humidity
Cabbage prefers mild temperatures and grows best at around 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cover your plants to protect them if the temperature drops below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cabbage will also start to struggle once the temperatures reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
Humidity generally isnt an issue for cabbage as long as its soil moisture needs are met.
Fertilizer
Pollination
Bees and other pollinators help to pollinate the flowers of cabbage plants.
Those come in the plant’s second year.
However, theyre not members of the same plant family and have some clear differences.
Both have vitamins and nutritional value, although different types.
Both develop many layers of leaves, but cabbage leaves tend to be tougher than lettuce leaves.
Lettuce can also withstand warmer conditions than cabbage.
Harvesting Cabbage
The time it takes for cabbage to be ready toharvestdepends on the variety.
But in general, it requires about 70 days from the time of planting.
Once the heads are fully formed and firm to the touch, they are ready to be harvested.
If you leave heads for too long, you risk them splitting.
Bring the harvested head indoors as soon as possible.
The head can be wrapped in plastic and stored in the refrigerator for about two weeks.
Cabbage can be used fresh or cooked, but wash it well before eating.
Select a pot thats at least a foot wide and deep.
An unglazed clay container is ideal because it will allow excess soil moisture to evaporate through its walls.
Ample drainage holes in the container are a must.
Use a fast-draining organic potting soil made for vegetables.
Pruning
Cabbage generally does not need pruning.
If you don’t have seeds, you canregrow them from scraps.
This salvage is an easy way to get more from your harvest.
You’ll need a shallow dish, water, and a brightly lit location.
Gently press the seeds into a seed-starting mix, just barely covering them.
They should not be covered by more than 1/2-inch of soil.
Gently pull out the unwanted seedlings, leaving the healthiest in place.
If you plant them closer, the heads will be smaller.
They will munch holes throughout the leaves.
Slugs and cutworms also might attack your cabbage.
Several fungal diseases, including clubroot, downy mildew, and black rot, can affect cabbage.
Once your cabbage is infected, there’s not much you might do besides removing the affected plants.
Cabbage is a relatively easy crop to grow as long as you get the plant’s moisture needs right.
You’ll also have to be on the lookout for pests and diseases.
Certain cabbage varieties can be planted earlier or harvested sooner.
But in general, it takes around two months to grow a harvestable head.
Cabbage is a biennial, completing its life cycle after two growing seasons.
However, the heads are harvestable in one growing season, and the quality typically declines after that.
