How to Grow Varieties of Spring Cabbage

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Gardeners in mild climates have the advantage of being able to grow spring and fall cabbages. But for those in climates with a shorter growing season, have no fear. There are still many wonderful types of spring cabbages to choose from, and the varieties such as Early Jersey Wakefield or Grenadier tend to be the more tender and flavorful of the lot.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step1

Transplant seedlings before the young cabbage sprouts its seventh leaf. The ideal number is three to five leaves. When planting seedlings, bury them deep and include the bottom two leaves as new roots will grow from the buried portions giving you a more stable plant.

Step2

Space your cabbages about eight to ten inches apart for small tender plants. For bigger cabbages, plant the seedlings farther apart to provide plenty of space to grow.

Step3

Fertilize once a month to help your cabbage grow faster and taste better. You can either scatter a band of fertilizer around the base of the plant or dress it with some organic high nitrogen fertilizer.

Step4

Prevent splitting during hot spells or when moisture levels are erratic by rotating each cabbage a quarter turn to break some of the roots. This slows water intake and inhibits splitting. You could also stop watering cabbages once they have formed a round head.

Step5

Eliminate the caterpillars of the white butterfly by using a bacterial insecticide. Spray plants as soon as you notice the moths and continue every week as long as they are visible.

Step6

Harvest a head by cutting it about an inch above the soil. If you want smaller side heads to form, leave the lower leaves intact.

Tips & Warnings

When growing cabbage, you must rotate the beds at least every four years to avoid exhausting the soil. Cabbages are heavy feeders, and they take a lot of nutrients out of the soil.
Hang cabbages, with their roots still attached, upside down in a garage or basement. When hung this way in a cool place, they will store well for several weeks.