PlantSowGrow
How to grow Cabbage (Red Drumhead)
Brassica oleracea Capitata Group
Solid, dark-red heads for coleslaw, pickling and braising. Stores well into winter.
At a glance: Sow early March to early April, harvest from late July.
When to sow, plant and harvest
Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.
Growing Cabbage (Red Drumhead): what it needs
- Light
- Full sun · 6+ hours a day
- Watering
- Water regularly in dry weather
- Soil
- Fertile, well-drained soil
- Spacing
- 45 cm
- In pots
- Best in the ground
- Feeding
- A general feed before sowing or planting
- Harvest
- About 120 days from sowing
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 3–9
- Difficulty
- Easy
Step by step
- Early March – early April · 6 weeks before the last spring frost
Sow Seeds Indoors
Sow in modules or small pots of seed compost under cover.
- 5–10 days after “Sow Seeds Indoors” · Early March – mid March
Check Germination
Seedlings should appear in 5–10 days. If sown outdoors, thin to 45 cm apart when big enough to handle.
- 14–21 days after “Check Germination” · Late March
Pot On Seedlings
Move seedlings into 9 cm pots (or keep in modules) when they have their first true leaves.
- Mid April · 4 days after the last spring frost
Harden Off
Stand plants outside by day for 7–10 days before planting out.
- Late April – late May · 2 weeks after the last spring frost
Plant Out
Plant out 45 cm apart and water in well.
- 0–3 days after “Plant Out” · Late April – early May
Net Against Pests
Cover with fine insect mesh or netting straight after planting to keep off pigeons, cabbage white caterpillars and flea beetles.
- 90–111 days after “Plant Out” · Late July – mid August
Start Harvesting
Cut when heads are firm and glossy.
- 60–90 days after “Start Harvesting” · Late September – late October
Finish and Clear
Clear the remains to the compost heap once cropping ends.
