How to Grow Cabbage

Updated June 2026

A cool-season brassica for the home garden across the warmer US.

What it looks like as it grows

Cabbage is a rewarding cool-season crop for backyard growers.

When to plant

Cabbage is a cool-season crop. In the South and Southwest, plant in fall through winter when the heat eases. See your region on the cabbage page for exact timing.

Varieties

Copenhagen Market, Round, dependable early head (Baker Creek)
Red Acre, Compact red cabbage (Southern Exposure Seed Exchange)

How to grow it

Sun & soil: full sun, rich well-drained soil with even moisture.
Spacing: about 20 in between plants.
Sowing: sow about 0.5 in deep.
Water: roughly 1.6 gal per plant every 2 days in hot weather.

Pests & problems

Watch for Cabbage moth. In humid regions, Clubroot, Black rot and Downy mildew can appear, so space for airflow and water at the roots in the morning.

Harvest

Cabbage is usually ready to harvest in about 3 months. Pick regularly to keep plants productive.

When to plant in your region

Pick your region to see exactly when to plant cabbage where you garden.

See what to plant this month

Pick your region for a month-by-month calendar tuned to your climate.

Find your region →