Cabbage is a versatile, hardy vegetable that thrives in the UK climate. This complete guide covers everything you need to know about growing cabbage successfully in British gardens, from sowing to harvest.
Not sure when to sow? See our When to Plant Cabbage UK →
Founder & Head Grower, SoilCommander · RHS Level 2 · 12+ years growing in Yorkshire
I've been growing vegetables on my Yorkshire allotment and raised beds since 2012. Everything I write is based on what I've actually grown, failed at, and eventually got right in a real UK climate.
Watch our guide to growing cabbage in the UK — covering sowing times, transplanting tips, pest protection, and how to harvest firm, healthy heads all year round.
🌱 Did you know? Cabbage has been cultivated for over 4,000 years and was prized by ancient Romans as a cure for hangovers!
Quick Facts
January – March (spring), June (winter)
March – May (spring), August (winter)
June – October (spring), November – March (winter)
30–45cm apart, 45cm rows
Easy to Moderate
Full sun, firm soil
📅 When to Plant Cabbage in the UK
Cabbage can be grown year-round in the UK by choosing the right varieties and planting times. There are three main types: spring cabbage, summer cabbage, and winter cabbage.
Planting Timeline:
- Spring Cabbage: Sow July–August, plant September, harvest March–May
- Summer Cabbage: Sow January–March indoors, plant April–May, harvest July–September
- Winter Cabbage: Sow April–May, plant June–July, harvest November–February
For continuous harvests, sow different varieties at different times. Start early cabbage indoors in January or March.
🌱 How to Sow Cabbage Seeds
Cabbage can be sown indoors in modules or directly outdoors in a seedbed, then transplanted to their final positions.
Indoor Sowing Method:
- Fill modules with seed compost
- Sow 2–3 seeds per module, 1.5cm deep
- Water gently and keep at 15–20°C
- Germination takes 7–12 days
- Thin to one strong seedling per module
- Transplant when seedlings have 5–6 true leaves
💡 Pro Tip: Cabbage seedlings are prone to damping off. Use fresh compost and avoid overwatering to prevent this fungal disease.
🏡 Soil Preparation & Planting Out
Cabbage needs firm, fertile soil with good drainage. The RHS stresses firm soil within a strict crop rotation to stop club root building up. They're heavy feeders and benefit from soil enriched with organic matter.
Soil Requirements:
- Soil Type: Firm, well-drained, moisture-retentive soil
- pH Level: 6.5–7.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Preparation: Dig in well-rotted manure or compost in autumn
- Position: Full sun, sheltered from strong winds
Transplanting Method:
- Water seedlings well before transplanting
- Space plants 30–45cm apart (depending on variety)
- Plant firmly — cabbage needs firm soil to develop good heads
- Plant up to the first true leaves
- Water in well and firm soil around plants
Firm planting is crucial for cabbage — test by gently tugging a leaf. If the whole plant lifts, it's not firm enough.
💡 Growing Tips for Cabbage
💧 Watering
Keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells. Irregular watering can cause heads to split.
🌿 Feeding
Apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer 3–4 weeks after planting. Cabbage are heavy feeders and benefit from regular feeding.
🛡️ Protection
Use netting to protect from pigeons and cabbage white butterflies. These are the biggest threats to cabbage crops.
🌿 Companion Planting
Grow with onions, celery, or herbs. Avoid planting near strawberries or tomatoes.
⚠️ Common Problems with Cabbage
🦋 Cabbage White Butterfly
Caterpillars eat leaves. Use fine mesh netting to exclude butterflies and check plants regularly, removing eggs and caterpillars by hand.
🐛 Cabbage Root Fly
Larvae eat roots causing plants to wilt. Use cabbage collars around stems or cover with fleece immediately after planting.
🦠 Club Root
Fungal disease causing swollen, distorted roots. Improve drainage, lime acidic soil, and practice crop rotation (don't grow brassicas in the same spot for 4 years).
🥬 Harvesting and Storing Cabbage
Cabbage is ready to harvest when the heads feel firm and solid when gently squeezed.
When to Harvest:
- Spring cabbage: March–May (can be harvested as spring greens earlier)
- Summer cabbage: July–September
- Winter cabbage: November–February (very hardy, can withstand frost)
- Harvest time varies by variety: 20–35 weeks from sowing
How to Harvest:
- Cut the head with a sharp knife just above ground level
- Leave the stump in the ground — it may produce small secondary heads
- Remove outer damaged leaves
- Harvest in the morning when heads are cool and crisp
💡 Storage Tip: Store cabbage in a cool, dry place. Winter varieties can be stored for several months. Remove outer leaves and wrap in newspaper.
Essential Tools & Supplies
Plan Your Vegetable Garden
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Use these links when the guide moves from reading into sowing, planting, watering, and keeping the crop healthy.
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