Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. capitata
Cabbages are the most versatile brassica, with varieties for every season of the year. From the delicate spring greens of April to the enormous January King that stands blue-frosted in the winter garden, no allotment is complete without them.
SowingStart indoors
Sunlight☀️ Full sun
Water💧💧 Moderate
Days to harvest70–180
Soil pH6.8–7.5
Spacing45cm × 50cm
Planting Calendar
Sow indoorsSow outdoorsTransplantHarvest
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Varieties by Season
Sow summer and autumn cabbages from January to June; they harvest from July to November. Sow winter cabbages in June and July for harvesting October through to April. Chinese cabbages are sown in summer for autumn use.Transplanting
When seedlings have 4–5 leaves, transplant to their final spacing, firming well with your heel. Loose planting results in leafy, open heads that do not heart up properly.Aftercare
Keep well weeded and water in dry spells. Earth up around the stem base if plants rock in wind — a loose root inhibits head formation.Harvesting
Cut the younger leaves from the centre — the heart. Remove the root after harvesting to avoid encouraging disease and pests in the soil.Soil: Rich, firm, well-cultivated soil. Add lime if pH is below 6.8.