How to grow cabbages

Cabbages are a versatile vegetable belonging to the brassica family, and come in a range of different colours and shapes, and with different leaf textures. They take up a lot of growing space and are slow to mature, but there's such a huge range of types to grow that you can harvest cabbages almost all year round. Cabbage can be used in many ways, including shredded in salads and coleslaw, added to stir-fries or mixed into soups, as well as a side dish to accompany main courses.

Cabbages are rich in vitamins and high in fibre, aiding general health as well as a healthy digestive system. Be careful eating cabbage and drinking boiled cabbage water if you have a sensitive digestive system, including IBS. Some studies have shown that a high fibre diet aids gut flora and protects your digestive system against bacteria, while others advocate avoiding cabbage and other high-fibre leafy plants as they can cause bloating and wind. Treat any new vegetable with caution and consume in small doses to test your gut responses before consuming significant quantities.

Where to grow cabbages

Grow cabbages in a sunny spot in deep, fertile soil. The soil pH must be alkaline to neutral, so if you think your soil may be acidic then do a soil pH test before planting, and add lime to the soil if necessary, or grow in a raised bed where you can control the growing medium more easily. Bear in mind that cabbages take several months to harvest, so grow them where you won't need to use the space for something else.

How to grow cabbages from seed

Sow cabbage seeds at different times of year, depending on the type – check the back of the seed packet for details.

In autumn or spring, sow in seed trays or small pots of peat-free compost, placing two seeds per pot or module. Keep under cover in a greenhouse, polytunnel, glass porch or on a well-lit windowsill. Thin seedlings, leaving the the stronger one, when the seedlings have appeared and grow on until the plants have four or five leaves. At this stage your cabbage plants are ready to plant out – harden them off to acclimatise them to the outdoors for a week or so before planting.

From mid-spring to early autumn, sow outside in rows in a seedbed and then thin the seedlings to 8-10cm apart to grow on for transplanting. Alternatively, sow cabbage seed direct in rows 30-45cm apart, and thin plants to 30-45cm.

How to plant cabbages

If the soil is loose, tread over before planting. Plant at 30-45cm spacings – check the seed packet for advice on planting spacings, as different varieties should be spaced at different intervals. Firm the plants well to secure the roots and help prevent cabbage root fly laying eggs in the soil around the stem. Adding a root collar immediately after planting also helps keep cabbage fly at bay. Water in well.

How to care for cabbages

Keep cabbage plants well-watered during dry spells so the soil never dries out, but don't let it get waterlogged either. Keep the soil around the crop clear of weeds which would compete for water and nutrients. Remove any yellowing leaves, which could become the source of diseases.

Pests and diseases

Cabbages are liable to several pests and diseases that commonly affect plants in the brassica family.

The caterpillars of large and small white (cabbage white butterflies) usually cause damage, making holes in the leaves and eating into the heart of the plant. You can pick caterpillars off by hand or use insect-proof netting. However, you may find that wasps take most of the caterpillars from the plants to feed their young, and the plants recover after the caterpillars have completed their lifecycle. You can also grow closely related nasturtiums nearby and transfer the caterpillars onto the nasturtium leaves, to protect your crop.

In winter, pigeons may eat your cabbages. Protect plants by covering with netting, stretched taut to avoid the risk of the birds becoming entangled. Hanging up bird scarers such as fluttering fabric on strings may deter birds, but this depends on the type of scarer and how hungry the birds are. Netting is the safest bet.

Cabbage root fly lays its eggs in the soil and these hatch into small white larvae which tunnel into the roots. Protect young plants by using brassica collars, which prevent egg-laying. Covering mature plants with insect mesh also provides good protection.

Club root is a soil-borne disease occurring mostly in the warmer months. It infects the roots, causing them to become swollen, affecting the growth of cabbages above ground. Improving drainage can help, as can adding lime to make the soil more alkaline. If your plants are affected, remove and destroy them, and avoid grow brassica plants in the same spot for at least four years.

In this video, Alan Titchmarsh explains why cabbages suffer from club root and how to avoid it.

How to harvest cabbages

Once your cabbage plants are mature and well formed, use a sharp knife to sever the cabbage from its roots. If time and space permit, try leaving the plant with a 10cm stalk, as you may get a smaller, second crop from it. Simply score a shallow cross in the stump to encourage smaller cabbages to form.

Preparing and cooking cabbages

Discard any floppy outer or yellowing leaves. Cut out the hard central stalks from the leaves. Wash well, then shred and use raw in salads and coleslaw, pickled in sauerkraut, braised or lightly steamed as a side dish with a knob of butter. Take care not to over-cook cabbage as it can taste and smell bitter.

Storing cabbages

Cabbages are best eaten as soon as they are picked for the best texture and flavour. Most will keep in the fridge for several days, with those that form firm heads keeping for weeks.

Cabbage varieties to try

‘Earliest Of All’ – compact, pale green heads ready for picking from July

• Buy cabbage ‘Earliest Of All’ from J Parker's

‘Langedijk’ – tender heads with a white heart for use over autumn and winter

• Buy cabbage ‘Langedijk’ from Organic Gardening Catalogue

‘Primero’ – blackish-purple summer cabbage

• Buy cabbage ‘Primero’ from Bejo Seeds

‘Savoy King’ – autumn/winter cabbage, hardy

• Buy cabbage ‘Savoy King’ from Mr Fothergill's

Frequently asked questions

Are cabbages poisonous to pets?

Cabbage is nutritious and safe for pets to eat, although in small quantities only, because it can cause bloating and flatulence. For dogs and cats, chop cabbage into small pieces and steam or boil first.

How long do cabbages take to grow?

As a rough guide, cabbages take around 20 weeks to grow from sowing to harvest. Winter cabbage, including red and white cabbage, take longer.