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Cabbage
Brassica oleracea (Capitata Group)
Cool-season crop that forms dense, satisfying heads. Great for slaws and fermentation.
Quick Facts
Sun:☀️ Full Sun, ⛅ Partial Shade
Water:💧💧 Moderate
USDA Zones:Zones 3–10
Space:🌱 Small Bed, 🏡 Large Garden
Soil:Loam, Clay, Silty
Best Season(s):Spring, Fall
Experience Level:🌿 Intermediate
Native Range:Mediterranean & Atlantic Europe
Bloom Color:Yellow flowers if the head is left to bolt (grown for the leafy head)
Bloom Cycle:Second-year bloom if overwintered
Days to Harvest:70–100 days
Harvest Pattern:Single harvest per planting
Care Notes
Start indoors and transplant. Watch for cabbage worms — use row covers for protection.
Growing Details
Mature Size:12-15 in tall, 18-24 in wide (head 6-10 in diameter)
Growth Rate:🌿 Moderate
Zone Performance
In cold zones (3-5), cabbage is grown as a single spring-to-summer or summer-to-fall crop timed around the region's one cool window, and hard frosts below 20°F can damage exposed heads. In warmer zones (8-10), it is primarily a fall-through-winter crop planted to mature during cool months, since summer heat above 80°F causes heads to bolt, split, or fail to form.
Companions & Wildlife
🦌 Deer Resistance
frequently damaged
Cabbage heads and leaves are a favorite deer browse; unprotected plantings near wooded edges are routinely stripped overnight.
🐝 Pollinator Value
low
Harvested before flowering in most gardens, but bolted second-year plants produce yellow flower clusters that attract cabbage white butterflies (a pest, not a benefit) along with some bees.
Good Companions
Dill — Dill's flowers attract parasitic wasps and other predatory insects that prey on cabbage worms and other brassica pests.
Chamomile — A classic pairing — chamomile is reputed to improve the growth and flavor of nearby brassicas.
Beet — Beet's mineral-accumulating roots and the brassica's different nutrient needs make this a low-competition pairing.
Troubleshooting
⚠️ Cabbage worms chewing large holes in leaves
Cover plants with row cover from transplanting onward to exclude egg-laying moths, or hand-pick and apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) as a targeted organic treatment.
⚠️ Heads splitting after heavy rain
Harvest promptly once heads feel firm, or reduce splitting by twisting the plant slightly to break some roots and slow water uptake.
⚠️ Heads fail to form, staying loose and leafy
Ensure consistent, ample water and fertile soil — cabbage is a heavy feeder and inconsistent conditions prevent tight head formation.
✅ Pet Safety
Non-toxic to cats and dogs in normal amounts; large quantities can cause gas or affect thyroid function like other brassicas.
Informational only — always check with a veterinarian if you suspect your pet has eaten something it shouldn't have.