Cabbage is one of the best vegetables to grow in your backyard garden during the cooler months of the year. Not only is it nutritious and versatile in the kitchen, but it also thrives in colder weather, making it a great choice for spring or fall planting. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you cultivate a bountiful cabbage harvest right in your own backyard.
Choosing Which Type of Cabbage to Grow
Before you start planting, you need to select a cabbage variety that suits your culinary preferences. There are three main types:
- Green Cabbage: This is the most common type. It has flat leaves with a crisp texture and mild flavor.
- Red Cabbage: Known for its striking color and slightly peppery taste, red cabbage is great for making slaw and salads.
- Savoy Cabbage: Characterized by its crinkled, textured leaves and delicate flavor, savoy cabbage is tender and delicious.
Starting Cabbage Seeds or Buying Cabbage Plants
You can either start cabbage from seeds or purchase seedlings from a nursery. If growing your own cabbage plants, sow seeds indoors 4-6 weeks prior to your intended transplanting date. Use a seed starting mix and plant seeds 1/4" deep in the seed starting containers. Once the seedlings develop a solid root ball, they can be transplanted in your garden.
If you're buying cabbage plants, choose healthy-looking plants from your local store or nursery. Each cabbage plant will usually require 12-18" of space in your garden, so use that to determine how many plants you need to purchase.
Prepping Your Soil for Planting Cabbage
Cabbage thrives in well-drained, fertile soil. If your soil is sandy or void of nutrients, enrich your soil by incorporating compost prior to planting. This will improve soil structure and moisture retention.
Prior to putting cabbage seedlings in the ground, add Coop Gro organic fertilizer as a "pre-plant" fertilizer. This will provide a slow-release nutrient source for the cabbage plants as they start to grow and form roots in their new soil.
If you're planting cabbage in rows, sprinkle Coop Gro along the planting furrow. If you're planting in containers or raised beds, sprinkle Coop Gro over the entire bed or container and lightly mix into the soil with your favorite garden tool.
How to Plant Cabbage
When your seedlings are ready to go in the ground, plant them 12-18" apart with rows that are at least 24-36" apart. Mature cabbage plants can be quite large, so be sure to give them plenty of space to grow to full size.
Cabbage plants don't need to be planted any deeper than the root ball on the seedling. Make a shallow hole or planting furrow and place the cabbage seedling in the hole, then lightly pack soil around the seedling. Water well in the first week after transplanting.
Tips to Grow Big Cabbage
Proper care is crucial for healthy and large cabbage plants. Cabbage needs consistent moisture to develop into large heads. Aim to keep the soil around the plants evenly moist, but not oversaturated. Drip irrigation is preferable as it keeps moisture off the leaves and reduces the risk of fungal diseases.
Cabbage is a heavy feeder and will need frequent fertilizations to grow large heads. Fertilize cabbage plants every 2-3 weeks with Coop Gro organic fertilizer for best results. Sprinkle the fertilizer pellets around the base of the plants and lightly mix into the soil with your hands or a garden tool.
Harvesting and Storing Cabbage
Cabbage heads are ready to harvest when they are firm and have reached their full size, typically 70-100 days after planting. Cut the head from the plant with a sharp knife, leaving a few outer leaves to protect the remaining plant, which may produce smaller, secondary heads.
Store harvested cabbage heads in a cool, dry place. Cabbage can last for several weeks in the refrigerator. It’s perfect for a variety of dishes, from coleslaw and stir-fries to soups and stews.
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to a successful cabbage crop in your backyard garden. Enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own fresh, nutritious vegetables and savor the flavors of home-grown cabbage!