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

26 Jan 10, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Brian, I find my cool-climate crops like cabbages and kale get a lot of pests at this time of year. I think they're weakened by the hot weather, which makes them more susceptible to pests.
15 Feb 10, David R (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I was a small crops farmer for 20 years growing cabbages, the trick to keeping grubs out is to spray twice a week for 2 weeks from the time of transplanting & then once a week after till they are half grown then only spray if Grubs appear till Harvest
17 Apr 10, Brian Palfreyman (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sorry Annalisa 18/sept 09 Ii ve in Caboolture ,theres no way cabbages grow well in the summer months in Brizzie,way to hot,and any that do survive 30-35oc go to seed real quick
28 May 10, Sarah (Australia - temperate climate)
My small chinese cabbage seedlings leaves are turning yellow. What do i need to add to the soil?
28 Aug 10, Bryn Parrott (Australia - temperate climate)
My 'Wombok' cabbages were grown from seedlings bought from the nursery. They are growing in clay based heavy loam but well drained soil found commonly in Adelaide. They are growing well, but seed heads are forming (look a bit like tiny broccoli) and there are stems... Are they the wrong variety, is it the wrong season - why are they not forming cabbage heads ?
13 Sep 10, delroy curling (USA - Zone 10a climate)
How do you plant 10.000 cabbage seeds. Regards Delroy
15 Mar 12, Ana (Australia - temperate climate)
You and I are having the silimar way of stir-frying cabbage, just that I usually saute a few small dried shrimps (Chinese ingredients) before putting in the cabbage. To me, greens are almost a must when dinning at home. That is why I have got quite a couple of vegetable recipes on my blog though it is just started.
15 Oct 10, Lionel Harris (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted a number of cabbage seedlings 6/8 weeks ago and the whole lot went to seed,WHY!!!
15 Oct 10, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It may be too warm for that variety, or else they got stressed (lack of water, too much heat) at some point?
16 Oct 10, mick (Australia - temperate climate)
same hear i blame bunnings for selling them to late in season
Showing 31 - 40 of 223 comments

Sue, it sounds like you might have brussel sprouts, not cabbages... Perhaps the wrong seed was in the packet?

- Chris

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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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