How to Grow Cabbage in Raised Beds

How to Grow Cabbage

Cabbage is a cool-season brassica that needs more room than kale. Choose a head size, give it 12–18 inches, and keep water even as the head tightens or it will split after rain.

Key growing facts for Cabbage
Spacing	12–18 in depending on variety
Soil	Fertile, well-drained
Sunlight	6–8 hours
Planting depth	Transplant at pot depth
Water	Even moisture, especially as heads firm up
Days to harvest	Often 60–100 days from transplant

Soil requirements

Compost-rich mix. They are moderate-to-heavy feeders.

Watering

A dry spell then a heavy rain is a classic way to split heads. Mulch and water steadily.

Sunlight

Full sun in spring and fall.

Planting

Same calendar as broccoli: early spring and midsummer for fall.
Harvest when heads are firm. Waiting for “just a bit bigger” invites split and pests.

Spacing

12 inches for small heads; 18 inches for large storage types. One per square foot for compact varieties.

Common problems

Split heads
Uneven water. Harvest promptly after a rain if a head is already tight.
Cabbage worms
Row cover. Check the wrapper leaves.

Helpful tools

Row cover

Product links will be added when independently researched. See the garden tools hub for buying criteria.

Frequently asked questions

How many cabbages in a 4×8 bed?

At 18-inch spacing, about 10 plants. That is a lot of cabbage. Mix with lettuce or onions if you do not eat kraut every week.