Cabbage is an attractive ornamental, in addition to being edible, nutritious and culinarily versatile. Growing cabbage in Florida can be tricky, but not impossible if the timing is right.
Cabbage is part of the Brassica family, similar to Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and collards. These cruciferous vegetables are also known as cole crops.
Chinese cabbage or Brassica rapa is a relative, also known as Bok choy.
| Cabbage | Brassica oleracea |
| Season (FL) | Winter |
| Soil type | Rich in organic matter |
| Light | 6+ hours of sun |
| Water | 1.5” weekly |
| Mature plant size | 18-24” wide |
| Harvest in | 85 to 110 days |
Growing cabbage in Florida
Cabbage is a cool weather crop with a short growing window in hot and humid Florida. Seize the opportunity by starting seeds indoors in August and transplanting in the garden in September. More time in the ground, before the warm weather arrives, means larger cabbage heads.
Recommended varieties for Florida
- Bravo and Bronco are the most popular commercially grown varieties
- Rio Verde, Flat Dutch, Round Dutch, Wakefield types, Copenhagen Market, Savoy Red Acre
- Chinese cabbage, or bok choy varieties: Napa, Michihili, bok choy, baby bok choy, joi choi, pak-choi, and toy choi
When to grow cabbage in Florida
Cabbage growing season in Florida:
North Florida: Aug – Feb (same for Bok choy)
Central Florida: Sept – Feb (Sept – April for Bok choy)
South Florida: Sept – Jan (Sept – April for Bok choy)
What you’ll need
You can buy seeds online or pick up some transplants from a garden center or local grower. Choose varieties that grow quickly since we have a short growing season for cold-loving cabbage.
Check transplants for cleanliness as they’re easily prone to fungal disease and rotting.
How to plant cabbage
Avoid planting where other members of the cabbage family are, or have grown previously. Cabbage-loving pests and diseases may be lurking in the soil waiting to attack the next crop.
To grow cabbage from seeds, plant them a quarter-inch deep and either leave plenty of space in between seeds, or plan on thinning when seedlings reach 5” tall.
When transplanting, begin by watering your transplants. Plant with 1-2” of the main stem buried, and remove bottom leaves if necessary. Leave 12-18” between plants. Mulch and compost to keep soil cool and moist.
Growing cabbage in containers
This is a great option.
When growing cabbage in containers, you can better control growth medium (high in organic matter!), amount of water, and optimal location.
Water well, but not too frequently, just two to three times a week. Stick a finger in the soil first to ensure that it needs watering, as too much water can cause the heads to split.
In my case, my main garden area is surrounded by trees which may not allow for adequate sun exposure – so container growing my cabbage in a sunnier area is my best bet.
5 tips on caring for your cabbage
- Lots of water, 2 to 3 times per week. Inconsistent irrigation can lead to bitterness. Yet too much water can cause heads to split.
- Irrigate in the morning so leaves can dry out in the sun, preventing fungal disease
- Frost can damage leaves, so plan on covering or moving them inside.
- Monitor for caterpillars and other signs of damage, as cabbage is quite prone to nutrient deficiencies, fungal and bacterial diseases, and a variety of pests.
- Weed often to prevent water and nutrient deficiencies as weeds will compete for soil water and nutrients
When to harvest cabbage
Cabbage is typically harvested in its first year, while those grown for seeds are left to grow for two seasons.
Cabbage is mature and ready for harvest when it’s firm and solid to the touch.
Chinese cabbage takes less time – about 70 to 90 days.
Suggested recipes for cabbage
- Raw in cole slaw
- Fermented as sauerkraut or kimchi
- Steamed, stewed or roasted into many dishes
Sources
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/cabbage.html
https://www.almanac.com/plant/cabbage
https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-cabbage#harvest-and-storage-188513