Crops › Cabbage
How to grow Cabbage
in the US
Sow March to September, plant out October, harvest May to November. About 70 days from seed to plate. You can sow it this month.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Cabbage is a proper workhorse in the Brassicaceae family, I'm chuffed with it on my plot. It's medium difficulty to grow, but well worth the effort for the cracking heads it produces. You can get a good crop in both spring and fall, which is proper handy.
Sowing
Cabbage is a cool season crop, so you'll want to sow it when the weather isn't too hot. You can start seeds indoors or direct sow them outside, depending on your zone and the variety. Generally, sow about half an inch (1.5 cm) deep. For zones like 3-5, spring sowing is from April to May, and then again in July or August for a fall crop. Warmer zones, like 9-10, can even sow in winter. Check your specific USDA zone for the best months, aiming for about 70 days from sowing to harvest. Make a few sowings a couple of weeks apart for a continuous supply, you know what I mean.
Growing on
If you've started your Cabbage seeds indoors, they'll need pricking out into individual pots once they have their first true leaves. Give them a few weeks to grow on, then harden them off gradually before planting out. This means putting them outside for a bit longer each day over a week or two. Plant them out after your last frost in spring, or in late summer for a fall crop. Aim for about 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) between plants, depending on the variety, to give them plenty of room to form those big heads.
Looking after it
Cabbage needs consistent moisture, especially as the heads start to form, so water regularly if it's dry. A good mulch around the base of the plants will help keep the soil moist and suppress weeds. They're hungry plants, so a bit of balanced fertilizer when they're establishing and again when heads are forming won't go amiss. Just keep an eye on them through the season.
What goes wrong
Oh, Cabbage worms are a proper nuisance, aren't they? And aphids, and cabbage loopers, even flea beetles can cause bother. To be honest, a good row cover is your best friend here; it keeps the critters off. Pick off any caterpillars you see by hand too. Healthy soil and strong plants are always a good defense.
Harvest
You'll know your Cabbage is ready when the head feels firm and solid when you squeeze it. Just cut the head at the base with a sharp knife. Sometimes, if you leave the stem and outer leaves, you might get a few smaller side shoots too. Store your harvested Cabbage in a cool, dry place, or refrigerate it. It's cracking for coleslaw, stir-fries, or even just steamed with a bit of butter.
On my plot, I always try to plant Cabbage where I've grown my onions or celery the year before. It just seems to give them a bit of a boost, you know, being companion plants and all that.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Golden Acre This is a dependable Golden Acre Cabbage, a truly reliable performer. It's a great choice if you like to start your seeds inside before planting out. | No club votes yet |
| Copenhagen Market A really solid Copenhagen Market Cabbage, a reliable performer for your garden. Perfect for those who prefer to sow their seeds directly into the soil. | No club votes yet |
| Stonehead Stonehead is a good, reliable Cabbage that performs well. It does best when started undercover, maybe in a cold frame or greenhouse, before moving it on. | No club votes yet |
| Gonzales Gonzales is another reliable Cabbage variety, a steady performer. It's best if you're planning to start your seedlings indoors for a head start. | No club votes yet |
| Red Express This Red Express Cabbage is a dependable choice and a reliable performer. It's ideal for direct sowing right into your plot. | No club votes yet |
| Savoy Ace Savoy Ace is a trusty Cabbage variety, a reliable performer for your efforts. It performs best when you get it going undercover first. | No club votes yet |
| January King January King is a very reliable Cabbage, known for its hardiness. It's a cracking choice for starting indoors, especially for later harvests. | No club votes yet |
| Kaitlin Kaitlin is a reliable Cabbage variety that performs well. It's a good option if you prefer direct sowing into the ground. | No club votes yet |
| Filderkraut Filderkraut is a dependable Cabbage with a distinctive conical shape, a reliable performer. It's best started undercover for a good crop. | No club votes yet |
| Storage No.4 This Storage No.4 Cabbage has excellent storage qualities, proper chuffed with it. It's a great choice if you're looking to keep your harvest over winter, best started indoors. | No club votes yet |
| Brunswick Brunswick is a very reliable Cabbage variety, a solid performer. It's a cracking choice for direct sowing in your garden. | No club votes yet |
| Late Flat Dutch Late Flat Dutch is a reliable Cabbage, known for its large, flat heads. It's best started undercover for a good, late harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Ruby Perfection Ruby Perfection is a dependable red Cabbage variety and a reliable performer. It's a cracking choice for starting indoors to get those deep purple heads. | No club votes yet |
| Primo Primo is a reliable Cabbage, good for a consistent harvest. It's a great option for direct sowing out on the plot. | No club votes yet |
| Tiara Tiara is a trusty Cabbage variety that performs well. You'll want to get this one started undercover for the best results. | 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.
Buy Cabbage seeds
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Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April to July | July to September |
| Zone 4 | April to August | June to October |
| Zone 5 | March to August | June to October |
| Zone 6 | March to September | May to November |
| Zone 7 | February to September | May to December |
| Zone 8 | February to October | April to December |
| Zone 9 | January to November | March to December |
| Zone 10 | September to January | March to December |
Cook the harvest
A classic Irish-American one-pot where a spiced corned beef brisket and hearty vegetables simmer low and slow until fork-tender and deeply flavorful. Wedges of cabbage, chunky potatoes, and carrots are added toward the end so they absorb the savory broth without going mushy. This is the definitive St. Patrick's Day centerpiece, though it is far too good to make only once a year.
225 min · easyTender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory filling of seasoned ground beef and rice, then braised slowly in a rich tomato sauce until meltingly soft. This Eastern European–American classic is comfort food at its most satisfying, filling the kitchen with an irresistible aroma as it cooks. Serve with a spoonful of sour cream and crusty bread to soak up every drop of sauce.
120 min · mediumA no-fuss weeknight one-pot where smoky kielbasa and tender cabbage simmer together in a savory broth with potatoes and onions. Everything cooks in a single Dutch oven, the flavors meld beautifully, and dinner is ready in under an hour. This is the kind of honest, filling meal that never disappoints.
55 min · easySlowly braised cabbage with smoky bacon, onions, and a splash of apple cider vinegar — this is the kind of unfashionable side dish that quietly steals the show. The cabbage becomes tender and silky, absorbing all the rendered bacon fat and developing a gentle sweetness. It belongs next to roast pork, sausages, or a simple roast chicken.
45 min · easyWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: onions, celery, dill, potatoes, beets
Questions people ask
When do you sow Cabbage in the US?
Sow Cabbage from March to September in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out October, after the last frost.
How long does Cabbage take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 70 days, with the harvest May to November.
Which Cabbage varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Golden Acre, Copenhagen Market, Stonehead, Gonzales and more.
Track your Cabbage 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.