Cabbage
Cabbage, with its large, tightly packed heads and broad green leaves, brings a classic and hearty presence to any garden. This cool-season vegetable is known for its impressive size and crisp texture. Its round, leafy heads make cabbage a standout feature in garden beds, adding a touch of lush greenery to your outdoor space.
In Florida planting zone 9, cabbage thrives particularly well during the cooler months. The heads form into dense, solid balls, ready to be harvested when they reach their full size. Watching these robust heads grow is a satisfying experience, marking the success of your gardening efforts.
For those new to gardening, cabbage is a wonderful choice. It’s not only visually appealing but also highly nutritious and versatile in the kitchen. Whether you enjoy it in salads, coleslaws, or cooked dishes, cabbage brings a fresh and healthy addition to your meals, making your gardening endeavors both productive and rewarding.
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The vegetables listed on this page are not the only ones that can thrive in this region of Florida, but they represent the top recommended varieties for optimal growth and success in local conditions.
Cabbage Varieties:
Savoy King
Hybrid
Description: Savoy King is a savoy cabbage variety known for its crinkled, tender leaves and mild flavor. Great for fresh salads and cooking.
Growing Season: Fall and Winter
USDA Planting Zone: 5–9
Special Notes: Cold-tolerant and handles light frosts well — excellent for Florida fall planting.
Golden Acre
Heirloom
Description: A compact early cabbage with dense, round heads and a sweet, crisp texture.
Growing Season: Fall and Winter
USDA Planting Zone: 3–9
Special Notes: Perfect for small gardens. Fast maturity for quick harvests.
Bravo
Hybrid
Description: Produces large, firm heads with a sweet, slightly peppery flavor. Excellent storage.
Growing Season: Fall and Winter
USDA Planting Zone: 4–9
Special Notes: Strong disease and bolt resistance — reliable in warm climates.
Red Express
Heirloom
Description: A fast-maturing red cabbage with dense purple heads and mild flavor.
Growing Season: Fall and Winter
USDA Planting Zone: 3–9
Special Notes: Ideal for colorful coleslaw. Great for Florida fall planting.
Stonehead
Hybrid
Description: Solid, dense heads with a sweet, mild flavor. Very uniform.
Growing Season: Fall and Winter
USDA Planting Zone: 4–9
Special Notes: Bolt and split-resistant — great for both fresh eating and storage.
Florida Vegetable Planting Guide
This guide provides information on when to start seeds inside, direct seed, and transplant starter plants in the different regions of Florida.
North USDA Planting Zones: 8b-9a
Central USDA Planting Zones: 9b & some of 10a
South USDA Planting Zones: 10a-11b
Visit the U.S. National Arboretum for an Exact USDA Planting Zone Map.
| Cabbage | North Florida | Central Florida | South Florida |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start Seeds Inside | Aug-Jan | Aug-Jan | Aug-Dec |
| Direct Seed | Aug-Feb | Sep-Feb | Sep-Jan |
| Transplant Starter Plants | Sep-Dec | Sep-Dec | Sep-Dec |
Planting Guide – Cabbage
Getting Started
Start Seeds Inside:
Starting cabbage seeds indoors in late summer allows for controlled conditions, ensuring strong
seedlings ready for transplanting outdoors in the fall.
Direct Seed:
Direct seeding cabbage during the cooler months allows for rapid germination and establishment,
avoiding the stress of high temperatures.
Transplant Starter Plants:
Transplanting cabbage starter plants in the cooler months helps them establish quickly and take
advantage of the full growing season, leading to healthier and more productive plants.
Soil, Sun, Water, and Spacing
Soil:
Cabbage prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and structure.
Sun:
Full sun is ideal, but cabbage can tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates.
Watering:
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulching helps retain soil moisture and
regulate temperature.
Spacing:
Plant seedlings about 24 inches apart. (Row spacing is often 18–24 inches
for home gardens.) Good airflow helps reduce disease and supports tighter, healthier heads.
Harvesting and Additional Tips
Harvesting:
Cabbage is ready to harvest when the heads are firm and solid, usually
70–110 days after planting. Cut the head off at the base with a sharp knife,
leaving the outer leaves and root in place for potential secondary growth.
Additional Tips:
- Add compost to improve soil fertility and structure for better cabbage growth.
- Mulch around plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
- Maintain even watering during head formation to reduce splitting and stress.
Fertilization, Care, and Problems
Fertilization (N–P–K Ratio):
Cabbage benefits from a balanced fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content to support leafy
growth, such as 10-10-10 or 12-12-12.
When to Add:
Before Planting: Apply the balanced fertilizer to the soil before
planting seeds or transplants to promote strong initial growth.
Mid-Growing Season: Reapply the fertilizer about three to four
weeks after planting and again when the heads start to form to support continued growth and head
development.
Application Tips:
- Follow the directions on the fertilizer package to avoid over-fertilization.
- Apply the fertilizer evenly around the base of the plants and water thoroughly to help the nutrients reach the roots.
Pests and Diseases in Florida:
- Aphids: Sap-sucking insects that cause curling and yellowing.
- Cabbage Worms: Caterpillars that chew large holes in leaves.
- Flea Beetles: Create many tiny “shot” holes in leaves.
- Cutworms: Cut down young plants at the base.
- Downy Mildew: Yellowing with fuzzy gray growth on leaf undersides.
- Clubroot: Swollen, distorted roots leading to stunting.
Blog post on Natural Fertilizers
Natural Pest Control
Companion Plants and Plants to Avoid
Companion Plants:
| Marigold | Bright, sunny flowers that release soil compounds deterring nematodes and other soil-borne pests while helping repel aphids and flea beetles around cabbage. |
| Onions | Their strong aroma helps repel aphids, flea beetles, and other pests that can damage cabbage. The scent can mask cabbage, making it harder for insects to locate. |
| Dill | Attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs and predatory wasps that prey on aphids, cabbage worms, and flea beetles while supporting overall plant health. |
| Chamomile | Draws hoverflies and parasitic wasps that prey on aphids and other pests; also offers mild antifungal benefits that can help protect cabbage from disease. |
| Thyme | Low-growing, aromatic herb that repels cabbage worms, flea beetles, and other pests, while attracting beneficial insects that prey on common cabbage pests. |
Plants to Avoid Nearby:
| Strawberries | Can attract pests and diseases harmful to cabbage and compete for water and nutrients near the soil surface. |
| Tomatoes | Compete for nutrients and can attract pests that also affect cabbage, increasing overall pest pressure in the bed. |
| Peppers | May stunt cabbage growth by competing for nutrients and drawing in overlapping pest populations. |
| Garden Beans | Can inhibit cabbage growth when planted too close, competing for similar resources in the soil. |
|
Brassicas (Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Kale) |
Compete for the same nutrients and attract many of the same pests and diseases, increasing pressure when grown right next to cabbage. |