Brassica oleracea var. capitata
Botanical Name
Brassica oleracea var. capitata
Hardiness
Annual
Height
1 to 2 feet
Width
18 to 36 inches
Fruit
Foliage in shades of green, red and purple with a variety of textures
Light
Full sun
Soil
Moist, well-drained
Planting and Care
Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost or direct sow outdoors as soon as ground can be worked. Plants should be spaced 12-24 inches apart depending on variety and size. Use floating row covers to protect young plants from cabbage worms and other pests.
Harvesting
Harvest cabbage heads when they become solid, but before they split. Cut as close to the lower surface of the head as possible leaving the lower set of leaves. New heads will sprout and develop from buds that grow from the bases of the remaining leaves. These heads are smaller will be smaller (2-4) inches and should also be picked when they become firm.
Problems
Cabbage yellows, black rot, black leg, cabbage root maggot, cabbage worms, cutworms, slugs, loopers, thrips
Varieties to Consider
'Cheers' - green variety with good tolerance to black rot, thrips and yellows
'Savoy Queen' - savoy variety with good heat tolerance
'Ruby Ball' - resists both cold and heat
'Savoy Queen' - savoy variety with good heat tolerance
'Ruby Ball' - resists both cold and heat