PlantSowGrow
How to grow Cabbage (Savoy)
Brassica oleracea var. sabauda
Crinkly-leaved winter cabbage, very frost-hardy and full of flavour — for harvests from November to February.
At a glance: Sow late April to late May, harvest from early November.
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 (Savoy): what it needs
- Light
- Full sun · 6+ hours a day
- Watering
- Water regularly in dry weather
- Soil
- Fertile, well-drained soil
- Spacing
- 50 cm
- In pots
- Best in the ground
- Feeding
- A general feed before sowing or planting
- Harvest
- About 70 days from sowing
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 3–9
- Difficulty
- Easy
Step by step
- Late April – late May · 7 days after the last spring frost
Sow Seeds Indoors
Sow in modules or small pots of seed compost under cover.
- 7–14 days after “Sow Seeds Indoors” · Late April – early May
Check Germination
Seedlings should appear in 7–14 days. If sown outdoors, thin to 50 cm apart when big enough to handle.
- 14–21 days after “Check Germination” · Mid May
Pot On Seedlings
Move seedlings into 9 cm pots (or keep in modules) when they have their first true leaves.
- Early June · 7 weeks after the last spring frost
Harden Off
Stand plants outside by day for 7–10 days before planting out.
- Mid June – mid July · 9 weeks after the last spring frost
Plant Out
Plant out 50 cm apart and water in well.
- 0–3 days after “Plant Out” · Mid June
Net Against Pests
Cover with fine insect mesh or netting straight after planting to keep off pigeons, cabbage white caterpillars and flea beetles.
- Early November – mid February · 2 weeks after the first autumn frost
Start Harvesting
Cut heads as needed through winter; frost improves the flavour.
- 60–90 days after “Start Harvesting” · Early January – early February
Finish and Clear
Clear the remains to the compost heap once cropping ends.
