Early York cabbage seed - Garden.ie (2024)

FAQs

When to sow York cabbage? ›

'April' could be sown in late July or early August to give plnats for planting in September. Seeds of 'Greyhound' for plants for spring planting could be sown in late December or January in a tunnel and planted out in late March or April.

Cabbage seeds are best started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost, at a temperature of 70 to 75°F. If you want a fall crop, sow outdoors in midsummer. In Zone 8 and warmer, if you want a winter crop of cabbage, sow outside in early fall.

Water cabbage deeply and infrequently while trying to maintain even soil moisture. About 1-2 inches of water are required per week. Use drip irrigation if possible to conserve water. Applying mulch around the plant also helps conserve soil moisture and reduces weed growth.

If you plant in the spring for summer harvest, you should start cabbage indoors. For a fall crop, plant seed directly in the garden in early July. Cabbage will tolerate below-freezing temperatures late in plant growth.

Seeding rate recommendations for transplanted cabbage vary with time of planting. Early-season: In-row spacing - 25 to 46 cm apart (10 to 18 inches) apart. Between-row spacing - 0.76 m (2.5 feet) apart.

Let the sunshine in: Cabbages need full sun – at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. Water wisely: It's best to water in the morning and at the base of the plant (soil level) keeping the foliage dry. Plants should be watered when the top 2 inches of the soil becomes dry to the touch.

Quick Guide to Growing Cabbage

Space your cabbage according to the guidelines on the plant tag, in an area that gets 6 or more hours of sun. Plant 1 to 2 inches deep in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.5 to 6.8. Improve native soil conditions by mixing in several inches of compost or other rich organic matter.

The results were unimpressive: Most vegetables wilted and rotted when left untended. Cabbage had the advantage of tough, protective outer leaves (which typically turn yellow and brittle while buried), and — perhaps more importantly — ubiquity.

For the largest possible cabbage, a watering system must be built that will allow water and nutrients to be carried underneath the cabbage as it grows larger and larger. As the cabbage grows larger a watering system will help get water and nutrients under the plant.

Cabbage and cauliflower will germinate at 100°F (37.8°C), carrots and onions at 95°F (35°C), turnips at 105°F (40.6°C). But importantly, most varieties of these crops will not thrive if temperatures remain that high, because the plants must go through other growth stages that are more sensitive to heat.

What months do cabbage grow? ›

Summer cabbages crop from summer into early autumn, while fall cabbages and winter varieties cover the remainder of the year. Savoy cabbages have a long harvest period stretching from autumn all the way through winter to early spring.

Cabbage seeds can be direct sown or started indoors. In regions with a short growing season, getting a head start indoors is the preferred method. Start seeds about four to six weeks before you plan to transplant the seedlings into your garden.