Planting

Cabbage

Planting Time Cabbage thrives in cool weather and throws a hissy fit when summer heat rolls in. Plant in early spring or late summer so your heads mature before temperatures soar. Hot weather makes cabbage bolt faster than a coon dog chasing a raccoon through the holler.

Depth & Spacing Plant seeds one-half inch deep and space plants about eighteen inches apart. Rows should be spaced two to three feet wide, giving each plant enough room to swell up into a fine-looking head. Crowded cabbage acts like siblings sharing a bathroom—nothing but fussing and no one reaches their full potential.

Soil & Fertilization Rich, well-drained soil is the secret to big, hearty heads. Mix in plenty of compost or aged manure, and top-dress with nitrogen as it grows. Cabbage is a heavy feeder that’s built for crunching and is built to be a casserole—nobody wants to eat bitter cabbage. Feed heavily and often for crunchy-perfect for slaw, stew, or that one aunt’s mysterious casserole nobody admits to eating.

Watering Needs Cabbage loves moisture but not soggy roots. Keep the soil evenly moist so the heads form tight and solid. If the soil gets too dry, the leaves will droop like a cowboy after a long ride in August. But don’t drown them either—cabbage doesn’t appreciate being treated like it’s learning to swim.

Sunlight Requirements Cabbage can handle the energy it needs to bulk up. Some afternoon shade is fine, especially in hot regions. But plant them in deep shade and they’ll stretch out thin and floppy like someone reaching for a biscuit at the far end of the table.

Harvesting Harvest when the heads feel firm—imagine a bowling ball made of lettuce. Cut the head at the base with a sharp knife. Leaving the lower leaves and stump may reward you with bonus little “cabbage sprouts” to eat stir-fry or showing off to neighbors who think cabbage only comes from the grocery store.

Captain Greenhouse Tip If your cabbage heads start splitting open like jeans after Thanksgiving dinner, they’re getting more water than they can handle. Ease up on watering or harvest a little early. And keep an eye out for cabbage worms—those freeloaders will leave more holes than a goat loves chewing on the porch steps. A little vigilance now keeps your slaw critter-free later.