Cabbage is a nutritious, versatile, and easy-to-grow vegetable that can be harvested throughout the year. It is a nutrient-dense vegetable that is high in Vitamin C, fiber, and other minerals. Cabbage can be eaten raw or cooked in many different ways.

I’m going to cover the benefits of cabbage, how to grow it, when to plant it, and some tips and tricks for successfully growing this vegetable. We will also touch on some of the most common problems with growing cabbage and introduce you to some of the different varieties that are available.

The Ancient Roots and Ongoing Evolution of Cabbage

Cabbage has ancient origins tracing back to Asia Minor and the Mediterranean. The vegetable belonged to the Brassica genus and wild cabbage grew across Europe. Around 600 BC, the Celts helped popularize cabbage as a cultivated crop. Cabbage then spread through trade and conquest to northern Europe and the British Isles.

This nutritional vegetable arrived in North America and England along with European settlers to sustain colonies in the 1600-1700s. The hardy cabbage adapted well to various climates and became a staple crop. Ever since, cabbage has been a beloved part of British and American cuisine.

The name cabbage came from the French “caboche” meaning head, referring to its round shape. For centuries, only loose-leafed varieties existed until the 1500s when hard-heading cabbages emerged in northern Europe. This includes rounded, conical, and drumhead types.

Germans and Dutch went on to refine many white and red cabbage cultivars. Savoy cabbage with crinkly leaves also arose. Cabbage keeps well fresh for months and ferments into sauerkraut. Modern preservation methods like dehydration retain vitamins and minerals.

Cabbage remains beloved for its versatility. It brings crunch to salads and slaws, adds comfort to soups and stews, and ferments into global delicacies like kimchi. Brief cooking softens cabbage’s texture while retaining crispness and nutrients. Clearly an ancient crop, cabbage continues thriving and evolving today.

How to Grow Cabbage

Owing to the fact that by preserving a judicious succession of variety, Cabbages (Refer also to Brassicas) may be had the whole year round, it is one of the most universally used of all vegetables. The plant is most adaptable regarding conditions, but the soil must be rich and properly prepared. Like practically all the Brassica family, Cabbage seed must not be sown where it is to remain, but the young plants raised in seed boxes or an outdoor seed bed and transplanted later into their permanent position.

Types of cabbage

• Green Cabbage – also known as the cannonball cabbage. It is named for the way its leaves wound tightly over one another in a dense and compact manner, resembling a cannonball. You’ll most likely see this variety at the supermarket.
• Bok Choy – leafy tender vegetable with slender stems.
• Napa Cabbage – Oblong with frilly, light yellow-green leaves, it’s sweeter and softer than many varieties
• Savoy Cabbage – The attractive frilly leaves of the savoy cabbage are more loosely formed than green or red cabbage, which gives it a shorter shelf life, it wilts quickly even when refrigerated. Savoys are best suited for Winter use, but Should only be planted in very cold districts.
• Red Cabbage – Also known as the purple cabbage or red kraut, this cabbage changes its colour according to the pH value of the soil it grows in – the leaves grow reddish in acidic soil and more purplish in neutral – acting as a sort of litmus test.

Cabbage Soil Preparation

Proper soil preparation is essential. Trench the ground thoroughly and deeply, and work the manure well into the soil, although where the soil is of a sandy nature, the manure should be kept near the surface.

Soil pH and fertility

Soil pH plays an important role in determining the fertility of a soil, and therefore its ability to grow vegetables like cabbage. The ideal pH range for growing cabbage is between 6.0 and 6.8, which is slightly acidic. Soils with a lower pH than this will be more acidic, resulting in reduced growth and yield of cabbage plants. On the other hand, soils with a higher pH than this will be more alkaline, resulting in nutrient deficiencies and poor growth of the vegetable. It is important to regularly test your soil’s pH level to ensure that it is within the optimal range for growing cabbage and other vegetables. If your soil’s pH level is too low or too high, you can apply fertilizers or lime to adjust it accordingly so that it can support healthy growth of your cabbage crop.

Cabbage Fertaliser

The best fertilizers for Cabbages are well-decayed stable or cow manure, or, failing this, Bone Dust and Superphosphate of Lime in equal proportions, for Summer crops; well-rotted stable or cow manure and Bone Dust in equal proportions, for Autumn, Winter and Spring crops. Where available chicken manure may be used in place of stable or cow manure, if desired.

Growing cabbage from seed: Raising seed and transplanting

Sow the seed thinly in seed boxes the outdoor seed and transplant the young seedlings to their permanent position as required, when ready. During the Summer months, however, before planting the seedlings out, prick them into a bed of fine soil, which will develop a good set of fibrous roots, thus enabling the plants to sustain any check caused by transplanting. Transplant, if possible, during cloudy or showery weather, and give the plants a good watering.

Cabbage Spacing

Cabbages require plenty of room to develop properly, and must not be crowded. For the larger growing sorts, such as Drumhead, Giant of Auvergne, Succession, Giant King, Large St. John’s Day, Champion Early Allhead, and Copenhagen Market, allow from 2½ to 3 feet between the rows, placing the plants 2 feet apart in the rows. With the medium-sized varieties, such as Eastham, Enfield Market, and Flat Parisian, 2 feet between the rows and 2 feet between the plants in the rows, will suffice.

Cabbage Plant Care

Cabbages must be kept growing on without a check from the time they are planted out. Do not allow the soil to become too dry and water the plants regularly.  Keep the ground between the rows as well as  in between the plants well cultivated, not only to destroy the weeds but to conserve moisture and to allow the air to penetrate the soil.

A month after transplanting (if necessary) give the plants an application of either Blood Manure and repeat every five or six weeks as required. Proper and thorough preparation of the soil in the first place will largely obviate the necessity for this operation, but remember that Cabbages are gross feeders, and can absorb very large quantities of plant food.

To help protect from pests or extreme weather, consider using a row cover over your cabbage plants. As a gardener, you should monitor your cabbage plants for any signs of disease or insects and take precautions if needed.

Managing pests, diseases, and disorders

Cabbage is a popular crop for gardeners to grow, and it can be susceptible to pests, diseases, and disorders. Cabbage worms, cabbage maggots, and other insects can affect the cabbage head, leaves, and seedling. There are also a variety of diseases that can affect the entire plant.

Some of the most common pests and diseases that can affect cabbage are aphids, flea beetles, caterpillars, clubroot, and root maggots. Aphids are small soft-bodied creatures that secrete a sweet liquid from their body to attract other aphids. They can cause stunting and deformed plants due to their feeding habits. Flea beetles are small black or yellow insects that feed on foliage and flowers. They can cause significant damage to the plant by rubbing off their droppings, which contain chemicals that can kill cells in the plant. Caterpillars are leguminous larvae that feed on plants. Clubroot is a vascular disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum fungus. It affects the vascular tissue at the base of leaves, causing wilting and browning of the leaves followed by death of the plant. Root maggots are white grubs that live underground and feed on roots.

The best way for a gardener to manage pests, diseases and disorders when growing cabbage is to select disease-resistant varieties and practice good gardening techniques. This includes timely planting, proper soil preparation and fertilization, proper irrigation techniques, control of weeds that may host insects or harbor disease organisms in close proximity to the cabbage plants. Additionally, keeping an eye out for signs of pests or diseases such as discoloration or wilting on the leaves can help in early detection so appropriate treatment can be given before the problem spreads throughout the plant.

Varieties of Cabbages

In the past the difficulty with the Home Gardener has been knowing the right variety of Cabbage to plant during the various seasons of the year, but there is no plant from which failure is more likely to result by planting a variety unsuited for the season than with Cabbage. For the guidance of the Home Gardener the following details will be helpful KEEP IN MIND, THAT THE TIME OF TRANSPLANTING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE TIME OF SOWING THE SEED.

CLASS 1 –  For the purpose of comparison these Cabbages are known as Early Varieties

CLASS 2 – This variety, being in between Class 1 and Class 3, is termed Second Early.

CLASS 3 – This class comprises the varieties which are planted for cutting· through the late Summer, Autumn, and Early Winter, and the kinds therein are generally known as Main Crop sorts.

CLASS 4 – The kinds in Class 4 come preceding section, and are sown later generally known as Late sorts

Harvesting Cabbage

Once harvest time comes around, make sure to check that each head is ready before you cut it off. When harvesting your cabbage, you will want to cut off the head just above the outer leaves at the base of the plant. With proper care, you can enjoy a bountiful cabbage harvest throughout the season.

Companion Plants For Cabbage

Companion plants for cabbage can improve the growth and health of your cabbage, as well as deter pests. When selecting companion plants for cabbage, consider both above and below ground options. Be sure to choose compatible plants that will not harm or compete with your cabbage crop. Additionally, look for plants that have similar growing needs (water availability, light exposure, etc.) so they can grow together harmoniously.

One of the most popular companion plants for cabbage is carrots. Carrots are a fast-growing, low-maintenance plant that can help to improve the health and growth of your cabbage crop. They are also known as an allelopathic plant, which means that they produce chemicals that can inhibit the growth of other plants nearby. This makes them perfect for growing near cabbage crops, as they will help to keep pests away while providing nutrients and moisture to your cabbage crop.

Another great option for companion plants for cabbage is fennel. Fennel is a warm-weather perennial herb that has long, feathery stalks and bulbous green leaves. It is known for its flavor and medicinal properties, making it a great addition to any garden or kitchen pantry. Fennel does well in moist soils and requires less water than many other plants, meaning it can be used as a substitute for watering cabbages when conditions are dryer out.

How to Cook Cabbage for Any Kitchen

• Prep – Remove tough central core. Shred or chop leaves into your desired shape.
• Sauté – Cook over medium-high heat in oil for 2-3 minutes until just wilted.
• Steam – Steam shredded cabbage for 3-5 minutes to soften while preserving some crunch.
• Braise – Simmer wedges or halves in broth until extremely soft and tender.

Cabbage is a delicious and nutritious vegetable that can be enjoyed in many different ways. It is also relatively easy to grow, making it a great option for both experienced and beginner gardeners alike. By following my tips and tricks, you should have no problem growing your own cabbage crop.