Cabbage

Cabbage is a cool-weather crop. Grow cabbage in spring so that it comes to harvest before the summer heat or start cabbage in mid to late summer so that it comes to harvest during the cool days of autumn, winter, or early spring. Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost in spring. Place cabbage transplants in the garden when they are 3 to 4 inches tall as early as 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost in spring. Direct sow seed outdoors when the soil can be worked in spring. In mild-winter regions, start seed in late summer for a winter or spring harvest. WHERE TO GROW CABBAGE Grow cabbage in soil rich in organic matter that is well-drained. Prepare planting beds ahead of planting by covering beds with 2 to 3 inches of aged compost or commercial organic planting mix and turning it under to 12 inches deep. Cabbage grows best where the soil pH is between 6.5 and 6.8. If clubroot disease has been a problem, adjust the soil pH to 7.0 or slightly higher by adding lime. Add plenty of well-aged compost to planting beds before planting. In regions where the soil is sandy or where there is heavy rain, supplement the soil with nitrogen. Adding a moderate amount of nitrogen-rich blood meal or cottonseed meal to the soil ahead of planting will enhance leafy growth.