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Vegetable

Cabbage

Brassica oleracea var. capitata

A dependable brassica that's easy in Adelaide from late summer to winter, with spring-maturing and fast mini types too. Rich soil and regular water make solid heads. Harvest as soon as heads are firm, before they split.

When to plant where you live

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Planting times for other areas

Varieties (4)

  • Golden AcreCompact round early cabbage; suits small gardens
  • Red DrumheadFirm red heads for coleslaw and pickling; stores well
  • SavoyCrinkled leaves, very cold hardy; holds in the garden over winter
  • SugarloafPointed, sweet heads; reliable and quick; good for small spaces

Neighbours

Grows well with

Keep away from

From seed to plate

  1. Plant

    50 cm apart, seed 10 mm deep. Full sun.

  2. Water

    Regular.

  3. Feed

    Compost and nitrogen.

  4. Pick, from about 11 weeks

    Cut when heads are firm.

Good to know

  • Firm the soil well around transplants; loose soil gives loose heads
  • Feed with compost and side-dress with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser a month after planting
  • Leave the stump after cutting the head; it can sprout small secondary heads

Common problems

  • Cabbage white caterpillars and cabbage mothcover with fine insect mesh, hand pick; use a Bt-based registered product following label directions if needed
  • Aphidshose off and encourage ladybirds and hoverflies
  • Splitting headsharvest once firm; uneven watering after dry spells causes splits
  • Slugs and snails on young plantstrap and hand pick at night

If you use a garden chemical, follow the label exactly. Try organic options first, and ask the community or Plant Doctor if you're unsure.

Ask the garden helper about cabbageAny question, answered from the plant libraryHow others are growing cabbageQuestions, tips and harvests from the community

Guides

Where this information comes from

Reviewed by AI cross-check (Claude), not a horticulturist on 27 Oct 2026. Version 2.