Red Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra)
2 sources cited · Verified
The short answer
- Plant
- Early February to late May
- Site
- 6+ hours of sun, soil pH 6–7.5
- Biggest risk
- Club root
In the UK, red cabbages go in the ground early February to late May.
Red cabbages (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra) — biennial grown as an annual.
Timing is the decision that matters most in the UK: there are 4 separate regional sowing windows, ranging from early February in Southern England to early February in Scotland.
Core growing advice on this page is checked against named horticultural and university-extension sources — see References.
Regional Planting Calendar
| Region | Sow |
|---|---|
| Southern England | early February to late May |
| Midlands | early February to late May |
| Northern England | early February to late May |
| Scotland | early February to late May |
Southern England - detail & sources
Neither source gives region-specific UK dates; RHS gives a UK-wide sowing window spanning late winter through early summer depending on variety type, with no frost-chasing urgency described, so one window covering that full range is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the sources do not support.
Midlands - detail & sources
Neither source gives region-specific UK dates; RHS gives a UK-wide sowing window spanning late winter through early summer depending on variety type, with no frost-chasing urgency described, so one window covering that full range is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the sources do not support.
Northern England - detail & sources
Neither source gives region-specific UK dates; RHS gives a UK-wide sowing window spanning late winter through early summer depending on variety type, with no frost-chasing urgency described, so one window covering that full range is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the sources do not support.
Scotland - detail & sources
Neither source gives region-specific UK dates; RHS gives a UK-wide sowing window spanning late winter through early summer depending on variety type, with no frost-chasing urgency described, so one window covering that full range is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the sources do not support.
Quick Facts
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6 - 7.5 |
| Sunlight | 6-6 hours direct sun |
| Soil texture | humus-rich, deep loamy soil (Plantura); fertile, free-draining (RHS) |
| Drainage | well-drained |
| Lifecycle | biennial grown as an annual |
| Edible parts | leaves, head |
At a Glance
Soil & Growing Conditions
Water: consistent moisture, heavy feeder (Plantura)
Soil pH range
Span reflects genuine variation between the cited authorities, not a single agreed figure.
Growth Stages
| Stage | BBCH | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sowing | 0 | Sow 1cm deep indoors in modular trays or 2cm deep outdoors in a drill; timing depends on variety (late winter-mid spring for summer types, mid-spring to early summer for autumn/winter, July for spring cabbages) (RHS). |
| Transplanting | 3 | Move outdoors once seedlings are 10-15cm tall with a good root system; space 40-50cm apart for summer varieties, up to 70cm for autumn/winter varieties (RHS, Plantura). |
| Head formation | 4 | Heavy feeder in humus-rich, deep loamy soil at slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH; heads develop over the following months (Plantura). |
| Harvest | 8 | Ready 4-6 months after sowing; cut through the stem base once firm (RHS). |
Harvest & Storage
When to pick: Ready 4-6 months after sowing; cut through the stem base once heads reach the desired firmness and size (RHS). Keep refrigerated at least a week; winter varieties store several months in cool, frost-free conditions.
Diseases
Pests
Red Cabbage, Seedling to Harvest
References
-
Sow depth 1cm. Timing by variety: summer types February-March (heated) or March-April, autumn/winter types spring, spring varieties July-August. Spacing: summer varieties 40-50cm apart with 50cm between rows; autumn/winter varieties need 70cm, needing extra space and a longer growing period. Thrives in humus-rich, deep loamy soil at a slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH, full sun to partial shade; a heavy feeder needing nutrient-rich soil. Acts as a natural bioindicator: appears red in acidic soils, blue-hued in alkaline soils. Good companions: carrots, lettuce, onions, beans, tomatoes, thyme, sage; avoid other brassicas nearby. Allow 4+ years before replanting cruciferous vegetables to prevent club root. Can be container-grown, minimum 20cm diameter/depth pot, one plant per container.
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country=UK
2 independent sources are cited for this crop. Where they disagree - soil pH is the clearest case - every figure is preserved rather than averaged into false precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I sow red cabbages in the UK?
In Southern England, from early February. In Scotland, wait until early February. Treat these as a guide rather than a fixed date — the governing rule is to sow only once frost risk has passed and temperatures are reliably warm enough.
When do I sow red cabbages?
Sow early February to late May.
What soil pH do red cabbages need?
A pH of about 6–7.5. That span reflects genuine variation between the authorities we cite rather than a single agreed figure — the References section lists each source's exact range.
What problems affect red cabbages?
Our data links 1 disease and 3 pests to this crop. See the sections above for each one and how to manage it.
Plan next season before the problems start
Most of the advice on this page comes down to timing and spacing — sowing at the right moment, rotating beds, and giving plants enough airflow. The UK Garden Planner lays your plot out month by month so those decisions are already made before the season starts.
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Last verified 2026-08-29
Where To Go From Here
Take this crop from reading into a written plan for your own beds.
Plan the next step
Use the printable SoilCommander planner for your region to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts and weekly garden tasks.