Cabbage is a very hearty vegetable. It’s easy to grow and very cold tolerant. In addition to these merits, its leafy, robust figure is also attractive in the garden.
For best results plant small transplants about 15 to 18 inches apart. You can plant cabbage in the very early spring (about 4 weeks before the last frost) because they are frost tolerant or grow them in fall (plant 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost). They actually taste better after a frost.
Cabbages generally prefer full sun but will tolerate some shade.
Cabbage requires rich, well-drained soil with al pH between 6.0 and 7.0 for best growth and to discourage clubroot disease. Unless your soil is already rich, add nitrogen-rich amendments such as blood meal, cottonseed meal, or composted manure to the soil. Or, apply a timed-release vegetable food according to label directions. Work the fertilizer thoroughly into the soil before planting. Or fertilize regularly with a liquid formula beginning when you plant. Use according to label directions; plants love the liquid feeding.
Cabbage takes 70 to 85 days to mature. Heads should be firm and dense. Cut the head off at the stem. Cabbage can split from too much water or over ripening. These should be sent to the compost bin.