Cabbages - How To Grow / RHS Gardening

Young cabbages, either growing in a seedbed, raised from seed indoors or bought as plug plants, should be moved to their final growing site when they’re 10–15cm (4–6in) tall, with five or six true leaves. Make sure to harden off indoor-sown plants before transplanting, to avoid a check in growth.

Choose and prepare your planting site as detailed above and water the plants well the day before moving. Carefully lift them or remove them from their modules Small individual cells, usually in a tray, used for sowing seeds. The resulting seedlings can be transplanted with minimal root disturbance. or pots without disturbing the roots, then set them in their new planting hole more deeply, with their lowest leaves at the soil surface. Firm them in well and water generously.

The spacing between plants depends on the type and ultimate size of the cabbages, so check seed packets for details. But as a general rule, space compact varieties 30cm (1ft)apart and larger varieties up to 45cm (18in) apart. With spring cabbages, space them initially 10cm (4in) apart, then thin out in late February or March to 30cm (1ft), using the thinnings as spring greens. Protect young plants from slugs and snailsand cover with insect-proof mesh or biodegradable fleece to avoid insect damage.

Planting in containers

Although cabbages grow best in the ground, you can also plant them in large, deep containers filled with peat-free multi-purpose compost Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. . This is a useful option if you have club root disease in your soil, or are short on ground space. Choose a compact variety and plant deeply, in a similar way to planting in the ground. Plant one in a 30cm (12in) pot, or up to three in a 50cm (20in) pot. Cabbages need plenty of light and good airflow to grow well and to avoid fungal diseases, so don’t be tempted to plant more densely. Cabbages aren’t suitable for growing bags. Position the container in a sunny spot and keep it well watered, especially in summer.

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