Okay, straight out of the gate, I am going to admit that while I am starting cabbage seeds right now, I am not a huge fan of it…to eat anyway. The HH loves it, so it won’t go to waste or anything, but mostly, I continue to plant it because it looks cool. It also really pacifies my need to grow something when the fall weather gets cold and dreary. Cabbage loves fall weather, so I love cabbage. It’s a weird relationship…we understand each other, and that’s all that matters.
I usually grow a couple of different kinds of cabbage. I like the variation in color+ in my garden and my coleslaw.
How to Grow Cabbage from Seed:
Cabbage needs soil temperatures of at least 55 degrees to directly sow outside, so I usually opt for starting mine indoors about 4-6 weeks before I transplant it outside {I usually plant it outside sometime in March here in the Pacific Northwest and again in early September for a late fall harvest.} To sow indoors, place grow medium in containers and water well. Push seeds 1/4″ deep. I usually put 2-3 seeds per pot and thin them to one per pot when they are about 3″ tall. When it is time to transplant them outdoors, space them 13″ to 18″ apart, depending on variety {check seed packet for spacing}.
If you want to wait and directly sow your seeds outdoors, wait until soil temperatures are at least 55 degrees and follow the same planting instructions listed above. While cabbage is a cool weather crop, it won’t tolerate prolonged exposure to temperatures under 50 degrees, so plan accordingly. It also benefits from regular watering throughout its growth cycle.
When is Cabbage Ready to Harvest?
Cabbage is ready to harvest when the head is fully formed and still firm when you squeeze it. To harvest, cut the head off at the base with a sharp knife {make sure it’s sharp, or you could quickly find yourself in a veggie horror movie situation–hacking away at it until it finally relents}. Remove the outer most leaves and discard them.
Random Facts That Will Impress No One:
One measly cup of cabbage provides 190% of the daily amount of vitamin C. In your face over-priced OJ!
Cabbage is 90% water, which is why one cup will only set you back about 25 calories.
Cabbage is one of the oldest vegetables known to man. Record of cabbage being grown for consumption date back to China in the 5th century.
Will YOU be growing cabbage in your garden this year?
~Mavis
P.S. For cabbage recipe ideas, I highly recommend Tender by Nigel Slater. It’s a gardener’s dream cookbook.
Phyllis says
Cabbage like all brassicas actually prefers warm weather and warm soil to sprout (around 75-80 degrees) and cool weather to finish maturing and develop a sweetness (around 40). This is because in the wild it sets seed in the summer then it grows during the fall, over winters, growing again in the spring until warm weather hits then it bolts and goes to seed. So planting in the heat of summer and harveating after the first few light frosts will give you the best cabbage you’ve ever eaten. But cabbage is very forgiving and will grow quite nicely in a wide range of temperatures without complaint.
Can you tell that I love cabbage?? Could eat it every week.