A few days ago I transplanted some of my cabbage plants to the small garden plot along side our greenhouse. I must admit, I am not the biggest cabbage fan in the world buy my husband loves it, so that’s why I plant it. Well, and because it looks pretty darn cool in the garden too. 😉
If you are a newbie gardener, cabbage is one of the easiest vegetables to start from seed so pick a variety, and give it a try. If you have never grown cabbage before, here’s all you need to know.
Brief description: Cabbage is a cool season leafy vegetable. It complements any stir-fry dishes, wraps and/or salads.
Where to Plant Cabbage: Raised beds, garden beds, and containers {makes a beautiful ornamental edible} in a place that gets at least 6 hours of sun per day.
Planting Seeds: Plant seeds 1/4″ deep. Thin to 1 every 13″-18″ {or one per pot} when seedlings are about 3″ tall.
Growing Tips: Cabbage is a cool weather crop–though it is not a huge fan of prolonged exposure to temperatures below 50 degrees. It does best when it has a consistent uninterrupted growing cycle, so fertile soil and regular watering is best.
How to Harvest: Harvest by cutting off the heads at the base of the plant. Toss out the outer leaves of the cabbage.
Fact: Cabbage has awesome health benefits. One cup has 91% of your daily vitamin K requirements, 190% of your daily vitamin C, and 5 grams of fiber. It is basically a superfood–so remember to take your daily cabbage. Ha!
Are you ready to start your garden but you’re not sure when you should plant your seeds or set out your transplants? Head on over HERE and you’ll be taken to a handy dandy chart that is broken down into what vegetables should be planted {or transplanted} each month in your area.
Anyone can do this. Dirt + Seeds+ Water = Food!
~Mavis
Gardening books hold kind of a special place in my heart. I wouldn’t be the gardener I am today {or maybe not a gardener at all} if it weren’t for a few gardening books I picked up years ago. I spent almost the entire winter of 2008/2009 reading up on gardening. I found some incredible reads that taught me so much and made me realize how much I didn’t know. So I’ve never stopped reading gardening books.
Here are just a few of my favorites, although if we’re being honest, narrowing this list down was virtually impossible. Gardening books are right up there with the bible {okay, not quite, but you get the idea!}.
My Favorite Garden Books:
- Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting
- The Complete Compost Gardening Guide
- Mini Farming: Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre
- Sugar Snaps and Strawberries
- The Gardener’s A-Z Guide to Growing Organic Food
- The Kitchen Gardener’s Handbook
Cheri says
A general seed starting questions from a native of the other side of WA, now a Western Washingtoner…. Is it basically impossible for me to start my seeds without a grow light? All I get are long unstable stems with small leaves? Thanks Mavis!
Mavis says
No. Up until 3 years ago I used to start my seeds on my windowsill and rotated my trays a couple of times a day. You just need to make sure you have a window that gets enough sun. 🙂
Deb Mulligan says
Last year I placed all of my seeds in the sunniest windows of our house (rainy and cloudy western Washington) and everything was very spindly. This year I purchased a grow light and the difference is night and day. The plants are so happy and the stems are very strong. If you can, I highly recommend the grow light.
Heidi says
I have to admit that when you first posted that you were sponsored by Botanical Interests I was disappointed. I didn’t want you to “sell out” to anyone. Opinions change once $ hit the table. But……..I planted my first package of Botanical Interests seeds yesterday and they are totally awesome. The information alone on the package is enough to purchase these seeds. Although I’ve been gardening for a long time, from season to season I still forget when exactly and how to plant each different seed. An added bonus is the artwork. Beautiful packaging. So Botanical Interests is the total bomb! I’m officially a convert!
PS~ I’d have ordered seeds sooner but I’ve asked for a catalog several times and have never received one. Not sure why???? Maybe they can read minds and knew I secretly wished you hadn’t been sponsored by them? Now that I’m a convert I should be receiving one any day.
Mavis says
I love their product and am happy to promote it. 🙂 The seed packets are the best ones I’ve ever seen and you are right, there is so much information on them it’s awesome. 🙂 Glad to hear your catalog is on the way.
Susan Reid says
Does anyone else have problems with tbe White Cabbage Moth/ Butterfly when growing cabbage or broccoli for that matter? I have huge trouble with them, so am waging a one woman war on my nemiss this year and I’m after any tips or hints.
christy says
problems with spindly seed starts? grow light is a must, leave on for approx 16 hours per day, keep light about 3″ above tops of leaves. plug in a small personal fan to blow across seedlings…the movement stimulates stems to thicken up against the ‘perceived stress’. problems with cabbage moths? keep a floating row cover over the plants…lets air, light, and moisture in, keeps moths and loopers out. mavis…love your site, i recommend it to all my gardening friends!
Ock Du Spock says
Love cabbages! I’m growing red cabbages and January Kings this year! Hoping to make some sauerkraut!
Tamara says
My family is not a huge cabbage fan either, but they do like coleslaw. Last year I found a recipe online for a coleslaw that you can either freeze or can with a water bath canner. We used the freezer coleslaw first and we were all very happy with it. Just used that last one and will now use the canned ones! The recipe leaves the coleslaw in a vinegar dressing, and then you can serve it that way, or add mayonnaise in if you choose.
Mary says
Can you put the recipe on FB. I really don’t like coleslaw but have one recipe that is just ok. Would love to try yours
Elizabeth says
It’s insane to me that you are already transplanting! I still have two more months to wait until our last danger of frost date 🙁
Mavis Butterfield says
What state are you in Elizabeth?
Elizabeth says
New Hampshire
Cecily says
Here is a recipe you might like that uses Chinese cabbage.
Chinese Chicken Salad
1-1 1/2 pounds cooked chicken, chopped
1 head Chinese (Nappa) cabbage, chopped
6 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup sliced almonds
Dressing
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon dry Chinese mustard
Garnish
Crunchy chow mein noodles
Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl.
Whisk together dressing ingredients and pour over salad.
Toss to combine and garnish with chow mein noodles.
Joye says
Hi Mavis
Have you had any issues with cabbage worms? We had some lovely heads here in NH this past summer but the worms destroyed them, any tips?
Joye
Emily E says
Mavis, have you ever tried Caraflex cabbage? It is wonderful! Also easy to grow and has a cute, unique pointed top shape, but the thing I love about them is they are a smaller size so those that want some cabbage instead of a ton will love this! Plus the flavor is very sweet and mild because it’s a cabbage lettuce cross! Still has the firm, crunchy leaves but with a sweet and mild flavor so if you’re not crazy about cabbage, this may be one to try!
Mavis Butterfield says
No, I haven’t, but thanks I will look into growing it.
Monica M. says
I have a small garden that my adult son and I grow our veggies in. This year I planted 6 cabbage plants.
Well, the plants grew and grew. Leaves got bigger and stems got taller. I kept looking side and never saw a cabbage starting. But the plants are healthy and growing taller every day.
Looked thru the internet to see why the plants were growing without any cabbage. Finally the coulda parted, the sun came out and my brain started working. The 6 cabbage plants i planted were actually 6 Brussels sprout plants!!!
Can you tell I’m a rookie gardener?