Growing Cabbage

Brassica sp. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S S         S S      
      T T         T T  

(Best months for growing Cabbage in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • Easy to grow. Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 41°F and 64°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 20 - 30 inches apart
  • Harvest in 11-15 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile, thyme)
  • Avoid growing close to: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chili, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard, parsnip

Your comments and tips

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24 Feb 20, Another gardener (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
If planted 1st DEC then they are about 12 weeks old. It says 11-15 weeks. It would depend what kind of cabbage you planted. A small kind or large variety. I grew red cabbage that are suppose to grow to 2-3kg but only grew to the size of small rock melon. You need some nitrogen fertiliser. N is for leaf growth, P for root development and K is for flowering and fruit growth. You should apply these before you plant generally. Too much N and you will have too much leaf. A handful of general fertiliser will cover about 1 square meter. Or place about 2 tablespoons of general fertiliser in 9 l of water and let it sit for a few hours, give a good stir and apply to the plants. It may be a bit late to do too much with your cabbage. Give it a go though.
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06 Jan 20, Ian (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have used, for the first time, garden domes from the ware house. At last I don't have to spray for white butterfly. The domes let nothing in due to the mesh size. Bees can get in but find it hard to get out. So I now have four of these domes. Snails, birds, you name it. Nothing can get in.
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22 Dec 19, Lea (Australia - temperate climate)
Sorry correction what bug or virus can affect a cabbage
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27 Dec 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I think the white cabbage moth is the main problem. Bugs and moths etc. are more prevalent when there is rain. So you would be checking the plants more often after rain. Research on the internet for more info on bugs etc. and for natural sprays. In warm/hot climates best time to grow cabbage is late summer to early spring.
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22 Dec 19, Lea (Australia - temperate climate)
Can affect a cabbage and how can they be treated naturally
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29 Aug 19, Glenn (Australia - temperate climate)
What PH level is best suited for cabbages do they like a bit of wood ash. Thank you.
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30 Aug 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Google it.
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29 Aug 19, Stephan (Australia - tropical climate)
I would like to find if there are variety of red/purple cabbage suited for tropical climates. I currently plant green cabbage and they firm nice heads. If there red/purple cabbage suited or can be planted in tropics
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29 Aug 19, anon (Australia - tropical climate)
Most plants can be sown in the tropics, you just have a narrow time to plant - so the crop grows in the cooler time of the year. Try Boondie Seeds they have some red varieties.
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26 Aug 19, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Eurobodalla and would like to grow Savoy Cabbage from seed - can I plant now, or is it too late....Mike
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Showing 61 - 70 of 226 comments
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Kaye, I also remember eating what was called 'greens', I asked my Mother and she said they were the outer leaves of cauliflower and cabbage and were also sold as loose leaves in bunches we had them a lot because they were cheap, this was in England though so it might be called something different here, I can remember them being a strong flavour, I havnt had them for years, Im growing cauliflowers and cabbages so I might give them a try and see if its what I remember. Mum said to strip the stem from the leaves and boil them in salted water until soft, drain and using a knife cut vigourously into the leaves while still in the pot. Good luck

- Tricia

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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