Learn How to Start Cabbage from Seeds

Cabbage is a hardy, cool-season crop. Cabbage is best planted in early spring or mid-to-late summer. Cabbage thrives in temperatures between 65°F and 75°F (18-24°C) and can withstand cold temperatures down to 25°F (-4°C).

Cabbage seedlings can be set in the garden 4 weeks before the last frost in spring. You can sow cabbage seeds indoors in flats 4 to 6 weeks before you set seedlings in the garden; that’s 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost. The minimum soil temperature for cabbage is slightly above 40°F (4°C).

To grow cabbage where summers are warm, sow the seed of a fast-maturing variety in early spring. Where summers are cool, sow seed in mid-to-late spring for a fall and early winter harvest. Where summers are very warm or hot, sow seed in midsummer for a late fall and winter harvest.

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Cabbage grows best at temperatures between 40° and 75°F (4°-24°C). Cooler temperatures and warmer temperatures can cause cabbages to bolt and go to seed. Choose a variety (see list below) that will come to harvest before adverse temperatures set in.

Expect cabbage seeds to germinate at nearly 100 percent. You may want to use tweezers to place seeds in the flat at 2-inch (5cm) intervals. If seeds come up crowded, transplant some to another flat otherwise the seedlings will become leggy and weak.

If you live where summer temperatures do not get warmer than about 70°F (21°C), plant succession crops every 3 weeks for a continuous supply of tender cabbage.

Cabbage has very shallow roots, so keep the top few inches of soil from drying out. Fluctuations in soil moisture after the heads have formed can cause heads to split.

There are many varieties of cabbage to choose from—savoy, looseleaf, ballhead, red, green, purple, or white. Some varieties mature quickly, others take longer. Some are suited for warm regions, others can withstand freezing winters.

Cabbage matures in 65 to 100 days depending on the variety.

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More tips at How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Cabbage.

Cabbage seedling plant grow — Cabbage seedling

Table of Contents

Cabbage planting details

Sowing depth: ½ inch (13mm)
Space between plant after thinning: 18-24 inches (cm)
Days to sprout: 10
Days to harvest: 60-110
Storage period: 12-16 weeks
Seeds per 100-row feet: ¼ ounce (7 grams)
Yield per 100-row feet: 60 pounds (29 kg)
Early to harvest varieties (65-75 days): Earliana, Early Greenball, Early Marvel, Golden Acre, Emerald Cross Hybrid.
Midseason to harvest varieties (75-85 days): Bonanza, Copenhagen Market, Stonehead.
Late-to-harvest varieties (85-100 days): Houston Evergreen, Storage Green, Danish Ballhead, Penn State Ballhead.

Cabbage sowing and planting tips

Start cabbage from seed or transplants.
Cabbage seeds are viable for 4 years.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 4 weeks before the last frost in spring or 12 to 10 weeks before the first frost in autumn for a fall or winter crop.
Start seeds in individual pots or flats.
Sow seed ¼ to ½ (6-8 mm) inches deep in the seed-starting mix.
Keep the mix moist but not wet.
Seeds should germinate in 5 to 8 days at an optimal temperature of 77°F (25°C) or thereabouts.
Transplant seedlings into the garden when they are 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) tall with 2- to 4-leaves and after daytime temperatures reach 50°F (10°C); firm transplants into the soil by hand.
Cabbage prefers a soil pH range of 6.0 to 7.5; a pH of 7.2 to 7.5 is best if clubroot disease has been a problem in the past.
When transplanting out seedlings set them deeper than they grew in pots or flats.
Grow cabbage in full sun for best yield—tolerates partial shade.
Add 3- to 4- inches (7-10 cm) of compost and well-aged manure into the planting bed, before transplanting; cabbage needs friable, moisture-holding soil.
Avoid planting where cabbage family crops have grown recently.
Space plants 12 to 24 inches (30-60 cm) apart.
Space rows 24-42 inches (60-106 cm) apart.
Protect the seedlings from the cold for 2 to 3 weeks after planting covering them with a cloche or plastic tunnel or cold frame.
Fertilize with an organic fertilizer such as fish emulsion at half strength.
Common pest enemies are aphids, cabbage worms and loopers, cabbage worms, and cutworms.

Interplanting: Interplant cabbage with beets, green onions, spinach, and herbs.

Container Growing: Choose a container with a minimum depth of 20 inches (51 cm).

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Cabbage planting calendar

Planting cabbage for spring harvest

8-10 weeks before the last frost in spring start seeds indoors for transplanting later.
4-6 weeks before the last frost in spring: set out transplants in the garden or direct-sow seed in a plastic tunnel or cold frame.
3-4 weeks before the last frost in spring: direct sow in the garden when the minimum soil temperature is 45°F.

Planting cabbage for fall and winter harvest

12-14 weeks before the first frost in fall: direct-sow in the garden for fall and winter harvest.
10-12 weeks before the first frost in fall: transplant seedlings into the garden for fall harvest.

Cabbage planting dates for spring and summer harvest

(These dates are for the Northern Hemisphere)

Average date of the last frost	Planting dates
Jan. 30	Jan. 1-15
Feb. 8	Jan. 1-Feb. 10*
Feb. 18	Jan. 1-Feb. 25*
Feb. 28	Jan. 1-Feb. 25*
Mar. 10	Jan. 25-Mar. 1*
Mar. 20	Feb. 1-Mar. 1*
Mar. 30	Feb. 15-Mar. 10
Apr. 10	Mar. 1-Apr. 1*
Apr. 20	Mar. 10-Apr. 1*
Apr. 30	Mar. 15-Apr. 10*
May 10	Apr. 1-May 15*
May 20	May 1-June 15
May 30	May 10-June 15
June 10	May. 20-June 1