How to Grow Cabbage
DOWNLOADMay 19, 2016
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Cabbage
- Family: Brassicaceae (Mustard)
- Season: Cool
- Ease of growing: Fairly easy
- Nutrient needs: High
- Water needs: Moderate
- Common propagation: Transplant
Seed facts
- Germination temperature: 45°F to 85°F
- Germination time: 4 to 20 days
- Viability: 3 to 10 years
Transplants
- Weeks to grow transplants: 4 to 6
- Start: March to May
- Plant out: April (early crop) to early-July (late crop).
Planning facts
- Typical spacing: 12” x 24”; 15”x 36”
- Square foot per plant: 1 to 2
- Time to harvest: 60 to 95 days from transplant
Variety selection
Cabbage may be divided into two general groups: loose-heading and hard-heading. They vary in color from dark green and red to white. Most Michigan gardeners grow or purchase transplants. They are usually advertised as early, midseason or late varieties. Some varieties are better for fresh consumption and others are more suited to long-term storage. Most have smooth leaves except for Savoy types—these have crinkly leaves and contain higher amounts of iron. Ornamental cabbages used in flower beds and other areas of the landscape have loose heads or ruffled leaves that add an interesting touch to the annual garden. They are edible too.
Preparation and planting
Cabbage grows well under Michigan’s cool conditions. It withstands temperatures down to 20°F. The plant thrives in most soils as long as adequate moisture is available. Follow soil test recommendations when adding nutrients.
Care
Shallow cultivation is necessary to prevent root damage. Cabbage is shallow rooted and usually requires irrigation, but is more drought tolerant than broccoli. It’s important to apply moisture evenly late in the season, otherwise developing heads may split. Avoid late evening overhead watering, as this tends to encourage diseases such as black rot and downy mildew. Adding N fertilizer six to eight weeks after transplanting is common for this heavy feeder, especially if a lot of rain has fallen.
Major pests
Insects: Aphids, flea-beetles, cabbage maggots, imported cabbage worm, cabbage loopers, diamondback moth.
Diseases: Black rot, downy mildew, altenaria.
Harvesting and storage
Harvest cabbage when the head is firm and has reached an acceptable size. Cabbages not harvested when ready are subject to head splitting. You can slow this process by twisting the heads or slicing the roots. For the best flavor, eat soon after picking. However, under proper conditions (32°F; 95 percent humidity) cabbage can be stored for up to six months with little loss in quality. Do not store cabbage with ethylene generators such as apples.
Developed by James Manning, Undergraduate Research Assistant, and Daniel Brainard, Vegetable Extension Specialist; MSU Department of Horticulture; Gary Heilig, MSU Extension educator.
