Cabbage (Spring Red) Growing Guide

Crop Rotation Group

Brassicas (Cabbage family) ●

Soil

Rich, deep soil, firm with plenty of well rotted compost dug in.

Position

Full sun

Frost tolerant

Yes

Feeding

Not required if good soil.

Companions

Dill, Agastache, Thyme, Nasturtium, Chamomile, Tomato, Celery, Mint and Tansy.

Spacing

Single Plants: 55cm (1' 9") each way (minimum)
Rows: 50cm (1' 7") with 60cm (1' 11") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Sow late summer to move to final positions in autumn to be over-wintered and ready for spring.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Try growing different varieties from seed to explore differences in leaf colour and type. Most early-maturing cabbage varieties produce smallish heads.

Harvesting

Harvest early plants or leave to mature to a firm 'heart' until early summer. Small secondary heads often grow from the base of early cabbage plants after the primary head is cut.

Troubleshooting

Surround stem with a 10cm (4 inch) mat with a slit cut into it for the stem to prevent cabbage root fly from destroying the roots. Use fine mesh or fleece over the summer to prevent butterflies laying eggs on the underside of leaves - caterpillars can destroy these plants.