Harvest Type:  Single

Transplant/Direct Sow:  Direct sow or transplant

When to Plant:  Indoors 8-10 weeks before your last average frost date. Transplant outdoors when the temperature is above 70°F.  Direct for fall/winter

Days to Germinate:  5-8 days

Days to Maturity:  70 days

Planting Depth:  ¼” deep

Germination Temp:  65-70°F

Seed Spacing:  Seeds 1-2” apart and transplant 24-36” apart

Rows:  3' apart

Light:  Full sun

Soil pH:  6.0-7.0 pH

Water:  Water when the soil is dry on top, but be sure to keep the roots moist.

Soil Temperature:  50°F - 85°F

Fertilizer:  10-10-10 N-P-K ratio at 3 weeks after transplanting, and then 12-10-10 N-P-K ratio at 6-8 weeks.

Rotation:  Annually

Harvest Type

Cabbage is a single harvest crop.

TIP: Use successive garden planting to extend the cabbage harvest.

Transplant / Direct Sow

Cabbage is easy to transplant.  Start seeds indoors in summer for a fall or winter crop.  For spring planting, start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last average frost date.

When to Plant:

Cabbage is a cool-season crop. In warmer USDA hardiness zones, cabbage grows well in fall and winter gardens. In Northern climates, cabbage is a spring crop. Plant outdoors when the temperature is around 70°F and the soil temperature is above 50°F.

Days to germinate

5-8 days

Days to maturity

It takes about 70 days for many cabbage varieties to mature.

Planting Depth

Plant seeds 1/4" deep.

TIP: Cabbage needs the wet/dry cycle of watering to thrive.

Germination Temperature Range

Cabbage germinates when the ambient temperature is around 70°F degrees and the soil temperature is at least 50°F.

Spacing Between Plants

Cabbage is a big and needs a large root zone.  Plant seedlings 24" apart.

Growing conditions

Cabbage likes soil that is just slightly acidic. Soil should be tilled deep (24" or more), as the cabbage taproot will grow deep. Cabbage loves nitrogen, so plan to amend the soil before planting and fertilizing after the transplants are three weeks old.

Companion Plants

Root vegetables do well with cabbage. You can plant beets, celery, lettuce, and onions with cabbages as companion plants. Most of these plants have a short time to yield, and those that don't are smaller and tall.

Rotation

Rotate cabbage crops each year. They feed heavily on nitrogen, and you will avoid cabbage pests too.

Anticipated yields

Plan your garden yield at 6-8 plants per person using a successive planting method.