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Cabbage

Brassica oleracea var. capitata

VegetablesFrost Hardy

Versatile brassica forming tight heads of crisp leaves. Early and late varieties allow extended harvesting from summer to late autumn.

Overview

SunFull Sun
WaterMediumCalculate watering amount
Height30–50 cm
Spread50 cm
Spacing45 cm
Row Spacing60 cm
Germination5–10 days
To Harvest60–100 days

Companion Planting

Bad Companions

StrawberryTomato

Toxicity

SeverityNon-toxic

Cabbage is non-toxic to humans, dogs, and cats; however, excessive consumption may cause mild gastrointestinal upset such as gas or diarrhea in pets.

Planting Tips

LocationFull sun (at least 6 hours daily) in a cool-climate spot; thrives in temperatures of 15-20 °C.
SoilFertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost, pH 6.5-6.8.
Sowing Depth1 cm
Planting Depth5 cm
WateringWater consistently, providing 2.5-4 cm per week; water deeply at the base in the morning to reduce disease risk.

1 cm of water per m² equals 10 liters. Use the Watering Calculator for exact amounts.

FertilizingApply balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer 2 weeks after transplanting, then side-dress with nitrogen-rich fertilizer 4 weeks later; stop feeding once heads begin forming to prevent splitting.

Care Tip: Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds; practice 3-year crop rotation with non-brassica crops.

Common Pests

Imported Cabbageworm

Symptoms: Velvety green larvae chew large, ragged holes in leaves and heads, leaving dark green frass behind.

Treatment: Apply Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Bt) spray or hand-pick larvae; spinosad is also effective.

Prevention: Cover plants with floating row covers to exclude adult white butterflies from laying eggs.

Cabbage Aphids

Symptoms: Dense colonies of gray-green insects on leaf undersides cause curling, yellowing, and sticky honeydew residue.

Treatment: Dislodge with a strong water spray; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil for heavy infestations.

Prevention: Encourage natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings; remove plant debris at season end.

Cabbage Looper

Symptoms: Light-green caterpillars with a distinctive looping motion eat irregular holes between leaf veins.

Treatment: Spray Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) when larvae are small; hand-pick larger caterpillars.

Prevention: Use row covers and inspect plants weekly; interplant with strong-scented herbs like thyme to deter egg-laying moths.

Common Diseases

Clubroot

Symptoms: Roots become swollen into irregular club shapes; above-ground plants wilt, yellow, and are severely stunted.

Treatment: No chemical cure exists; remove and destroy infected plants and do not compost them.

Prevention: Lime soil to raise pH to 7.2, use certified disease-free transplants, and rotate crops on a 7+ year cycle in infested ground.

Black Rot

Symptoms: V-shaped yellow lesions form at leaf margins and expand inward; leaf veins darken and stems show black discoloration when cut.

Treatment: Apply copper-based bactericides every 7-10 days to slow spread; remove and destroy heavily infected plants.

Prevention: Use hot-water-treated or certified clean seed, rotate away from brassicas for at least 3 years, and avoid overhead irrigation.

Downy Mildew

Symptoms: Yellow to brown angular spots appear on upper leaf surfaces with grayish-white fuzzy growth on the undersides.

Treatment: Apply copper-based fungicides at first sign of symptoms; remove severely affected leaves promptly.

Prevention: Ensure good air circulation by proper spacing, water at the base rather than overhead, and avoid working among wet plants.