Crops › Cabbage (Red)
How to grow Cabbage (Red)
in the UK
Sow March to May, plant out June to July, harvest August to November. About 140 days from seed to plate.
Red cabbage, it's a proper satisfying crop to grow, you know. It looks cracking on the plot with its vibrant colour, and it's brilliant in the kitchen for all sorts of dishes. Definitely worth making space for this one, you'll be chuffed you did.
Sowing
Right, red cabbage. You can start these indoors from March to April, or sow directly outside from April into May. If you're starting indoors, pop them in small pots or modules, about 1 cm deep. Keep 'em warm, 15-20°C is grand, on a windowsill or in the greenhouse. For outdoor sowing, make a shallow drill, about 1.5 cm deep, and sow thinly. Once they're up, thin 'em out to about 15 cm apart. Don't rush 'em, give 'em time to get going.
Growing on
When your indoor seedlings have got four to six proper leaves, it's time to prick 'em out into individual pots if they're not already. Before planting out on the allotment, you'll want to harden them off for a week or two, you know, get 'em used to the outdoor life. Plant them out when all danger of frost has passed, usually mid-May up here, bit earlier down south. Give 'em plenty of space – about 45-60 cm between plants, and 60 cm between rows. Firm 'em in well, proper firm, it really helps.
Looking after it
Red cabbage likes a steady supply of water, especially when those heads are starting to form. Keep the soil moist, but not soaking wet, mind. A good mulch around the plants helps keep the moisture in and weeds down, which saves you a job. You don't need to do much else, just keep an eye on 'em, they're not too fussy for feeding if the soil's decent.
What goes wrong
The big one for brassicas, like I always say, is those cabbage white butterflies. Their caterpillars can munch through leaves in no time, so netting is your best bet, honest. Slugs can be a bother too, especially when they're young plants. And club root, that's a nasty one; a good crop rotation plan helps avoid it if you can.
Harvest
You're looking at about 140 days from sowing to harvest for red cabbage, so that's roughly August through to November for most varieties. When the heads feel solid and firm when you give 'em a squeeze, they're ready. Cut 'em at the base with a sharp knife. They're cracking keepers, you know. Store 'em in a cool, dark, frost-free place, and they'll last for months.
I always plant a few onions or some celery nearby my cabbages; seems to keep some of the nasties away, and it's just a good neighbourly thing to do on the plot.
Dates for your plot
Type the first half of your postcode and the plant-out advice shifts to your area's typical frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Red Drumhead This one's a proper traditional heritage variety, gives you solid, round heads. If you like your old-fashioned veg, this is a cracking choice. | No club votes yet |
| Kalibos A bit fancy, this one, with its pointed, sweetheart-shaped heads and lovely tender leaves. Great if you're wanting something a bit different for your meals. | No club votes yet |
| Red Jewel F1 This F1 hybrid gives you really compact, uniform heads, and it's got good resistance to some of the common brassica diseases. A reliable choice if you've had trouble before. | No club votes yet |
| Rookie F1 If you're eager for an early harvest, Rookie F1 is a good shout. It matures quickly and its compact size makes it suitable for smaller gardens too. | No club votes yet |
| Lodero F1 Need something to see you through winter? Lodero F1 produces big, dense heads that store brilliantly for ages. Proper chuffed with this one for keeping. | No club votes yet |
| Red Flare F1 This maincrop variety has a vibrant colour and holds up really well out in the field. Ideal if you're sowing direct and want a good, steady supply. | No club votes yet |
| Integro F1 A cracking Dutch variety, Integro F1 is known for storing absolutely brilliantly right through the winter months. If you want to keep your harvest, this is the one. | No club votes yet |
| Marner Lagerrot This German heritage variety is often called one of the best for making sauerkraut. If you're into preserving and traditional recipes, give this a try. | No club votes yet |
| Red Express Living up to its name, Red Express is quick to mature and grows as compact plants. Great if you want a faster turnaround on your plot. | No club votes yet |
| Autoro F1 This late-season variety is very hardy and a really good keeper. Perfect for extending your harvest well into the colder months. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
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Cook the harvest
A classic British autumn side dish that earns its place on the table beside roast pork or sausages. The red cabbage collapses into something deeply savoury and sweet, with cider vinegar keeping it bright and caraway adding a gentle anise warmth. It improves enormously the next day, making it perfect for cooking ahead.
75 min · easyA sharp, crunchy slaw that takes less than 20 minutes and holds its own against anything you put it next to — burgers, barbecued meat, grilled fish, or pulled jackfruit. The dressing is mustardy and tangy with just enough honey to balance it, and unlike mayo-heavy slaws, this one stays crisp and bright for days in the fridge.
20 min · easyPork belly and red cabbage is one of those pairings that feels made by geography — both are at their best in autumn, and they cook together into something deeply rich and satisfying. The red cabbage braises in red wine with juniper and allspice while the pork rests on top, absorbing all those aromatics. This is a weekend centrepiece dish that requires very little active attention once it's in the oven.
175 min · mediumA bold, substantial autumn salad that celebrates British ingredients at their seasonal best. Crunchy raw red cabbage is tossed with toasted walnuts, crumbled Stilton, and a sharp cider vinegar dressing that brings everything together without softening the bite of the cabbage. This is a salad that actually satisfies — it works equally well as a starter or a light lunch.
25 min · easyWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: onions, celery, dill
Questions people ask
When do you sow Cabbage (Red) in the UK?
Sow Cabbage (Red) from March to May. Plant out June to July, after the last frost.
How long does Cabbage (Red) take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 140 days, with the harvest August to November.
Which Cabbage (Red) varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Red Drumhead, Kalibos, Red Jewel F1, Rookie F1 and more.
Track your Cabbage (Red) from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.