Cabbage Seeds

Cabbage is a leafy green, purple, or white vegetable grown for its dense-leaved heads. The head of a cabbage is round and forms on a short thick stem while the leaves are thick and alternating with wavy or lobed edges. The roots of a cabbage are fibrous and shallow. This voluminous, dense, and highly nutritious vegetable is closely related to broccoli and cauliflower.

• 15 cabbage seed varieties
• High in vitamins K, A and C
• Easy to grow
• Closely related to broccoli and cauliflower

Dependable, nutritious, and delicious raw or cooked, both green and red cabbage are among the most productive cool-season crops. Easy to grow from seed, gardeners can grow two cabbage crops per year, as they do well in the spring and again in the fall. All varieties of cabbage that we offer are at their best in late fall, which will sweeten slightly with a touch of light frost.

Most of us are selective as to which cabbage to grow in our gardens, as large solid heads take more space than some crops but repay work with hefty, nourishing results. Among the more popular varieties of our green cabbage seeds are Eden Brothers' Charleston Wakefield Cabbage Seeds and Copenhagen Market Cabbage Seeds. Or give our Red Acre Cabbage Seeds a try—it provides higher levels of vitamins A and C than other types of cabbage and its bright color is always beautiful in the garden and on the plate.

Cabbage seeds should be started inside around six to eight weeks before the last spring frost. Place the seeds somewhere with full sun or under a grow light if necessary. The optimum soil temperature for planting cabbages is 60 to 65°F. Plant three to four seeds about 1/4 inch deep. When seedlings reach about three to four inches tall, or when there are two to three weeks left before the last expected spring frost, harden off and transplant outdoors with about 24 inches in between plants. Choose a planting site with plenty of sunlight and well-draining, friable soil. Cabbage plants require about two inches of water per week. Harvest cabbages after about 70 days or when the heads reach the desired size and are firm. Cut cabbage at its base with a sharp knife and remove any yellow leaves, immediately placing them indoors or in the shade.

This leafy plant is grown for its dense-leaved heads and is often used in a variety of culinary ways. Cabbage can be pickled, fermented, steamed, stewed, sautéed, braised, or eaten raw.

For more information about planting, growing, and caring for cabbage seeds, see the Cabbage Seeds Planting Guide.