Family: Brassicaceae
Genus and Species: Brassica oleracea
Climate
Cabbage is often referred to as a cole crop. Cabbage will tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions but thrives in cooler temperatures. Cabbage can tolerate hard frosts, but severe freezes can be damaging. Cabbage flavor improves with cooler temperatures because plant cells are working to convert starches to sugars to protect the plant against the cold. The result is a sweet, fresh taste that surpasses that of store-bought greens. Cabbage planting dates should be planned so that harvest dates occur in cool weather.
Soil
Crop rotation is especially important with cabbage and other members of the Brassicaceae (previously referred to as the Cruciferae or crucifer) family that includes kale, radish, mustard greens, turnips, and broccoli. 2 - 4 years between plantings of the same family is recommended.
Cabbage will grow fine in a wide variety of soils but prefers well-drained, loam soils rich in organic matter with a pH of 6.0 and above. Sandy loam soils are fine for earlier plantings of cabbage. Cabbage is a heavy feeder.
Spacing
Cabbages produce large leafy plants. Space cabbage plants at 12"-18" within the row and space rows between 18" and 34" apart.
Direct Seeding
A well-prepared seedbed with adequate moisture is a must for direct seeded cabbage. Sow cabbage seeds 1/2" deep, four per foot, within rows spaced 24"-36" apart. Gently press the soil after planting to ensure the seed is in contact with it. Thin to one seedling within each foot.
Seeding For Transplants
Sow cabbage seed into flats, cells, or soil blocks of soil-less mix at 3-4 seeds per inch/unit. Ideal temperatures for cabbage growth are between 45°F at night and 85°F during the day. Begin hardening off the seedlings seven days before transplanting. Ensure good sunlight exposure to prevent the cabbage seedlings from becoming leggy.
Germination
These seeds germinate best in soils around 75°F.
Germination will take 4-14 days.
Transplanting Into the Garden
Transplant cabbage seedlings at 4-6 weeks. Cabbage seedlings should be set out at 12"-18" within rows spaced 34" apart.
Watering
An even moisture supply is needed for transplants to become established and to produce good yields. Do not over-watering transplants after setting them out.
Harvesting
Heads should be harvested when firm and before they split or burst. If harvesting for fresh market, leave 4-6 wrapper leaves attached to the head for display. The wrapper leaves are usually removed when harvesting for kraut.
Post-Harvest Handling
Cabbage should be handled carefully from field to storage, and only solid heads with no yellowing, decay, or mechanical injuries should be stored. Before the heads are stored, all loose leaves should be trimmed away; only three to six tight wrapper leaves should be left on the head. left on the head. Loose leaves interfere with ventilation between heads, and ventilation is essential for successful storage.
Storage
Store cabbage at 32°F and a relative humidity of 98% to 100%. A large percentage of the late crop of cabbage is stored and sold during the winter and early spring, or until the new crop from the southern states appears on the market. If stored under proper conditions late cabbage should keep for 5 to 6 months. The longest keeping cultivars belong to the Danish class. Early-crop cabbage, especially southern grown, has a storage life of 3 to 6 weeks.
Root cellars or other limited control storage should be insulated sufficiently to prevent freezing of the cabbage. Heaters are sometimes needed to prevent freezing of cabbage in common storage during severe cold weather.
Cabbage wilts quickly if held under too dry storage conditions.
Cabbage should not be stored with fruits emitting ethylene.
The most common decays found in stored cabbage are watery soft rot, bacterial soft rot, gray mold rot, alternaria leaf spot, and black leaf speck.
Diseases
Club Root, Black Rot, Black Leg, Wirestem, Alternaria Leafspot, and Downy Mildew
Pests
Aphids, Cabbage Loopers, Imported Cabbageworm, Cutworms, Flea Beetles, and Diamond Back Moth
Comments
Some varieties of cabbage may split from a sudden supply of water such as a rainfall after a dry spell.
Heads the size of softballs will have the most flavor.
Mulch will help keep the ground cool and moist as well as reduce weed competition.
References
Weekend Gardener, "Cabbage", Chestnut Software, Inc, http://www.chestnut-sw.com/seeds/vegseed/cabbage.htm, Accessed 2003-01-01.
Bradley, F. M. and Ellis, B. W.(Ed.). (1992), Rodale's All-New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: The Indispensable Resource for Every Gardener, Emmaus, Pennsylvania: Rodale Press.
Oregon State University, "Cabbage, Commercial Vegetable Production Guide", Last modified 2002-12-26, Oregon State University, http://oregonstate.edu/dept/NWREC/cabb.html, Accessed 2003-01-01.