Cabbage

Growing cabbage provides you with a versatile vegetable that is great for fermenting, coleslaw, tacos, soup, stir fry, and much more. Most cabbages can be stored long term allowing you sufficient time to use them over an extended period of time. 

Site selection

Cabbage belongs to the brassica family, which does best in very fertile well-draining soil that is on the neutral to slightly alkaline side of the pH scale. Applying lime to the garden will benefit cabbage growth. Cabbage does best with sufficient nutrients and irrigation throughout the season. 

Planting

Planting Dates in Western Oregon
For spring/early summer harvest start transplants in early March and plant out in early April

For fall and winter harvests start transplants May through June and plant out June through July
​
Direct seed
We typically start our cabbage plants in trays, but cabbage can be directly seeded into the garden. Sow two to three seeds 1/2" deep about 12" apart in the row. Thin to one seedling per spot after the seedlings germinate.  

Transplants
Start seeds in trays 4 to 5 weeks before planned planting date in the garden. Sow two seeds per cell, 1/2" deep and keep at 70 degrees until germination occurs within a week. Thin to one plant per cell after germination. Continue growing out at about 60 degrees for best results. In Oregon cabbage can be planted in spring or summer. In spring, start early season varieties to ensure harvest before the heat of the summer. In summer, plant midseason and storage varieties for fall harvest.  In late summer, plant cold hardy storage varieties for winter harvests. 

Harvesting

Cut heads off the plants when they reach the desired size. Heads should be tight and dense at harvest. Store heads at 32 degrees with high humidity. 

Recommended fertilizer

Recommended varieties
Click on each variety to learn more

Alcosa F1 - Early Season (Territorial Seed Co.)

Filderkraut - Midseason (Territorial Seed Co.)

Kalibos - Midseason (Territorial Seed Co.)

Tiara F1 - Early Season (Territorial Seed Co.)

Tundra F1 - Storage (Territorial Seed Co.)