Growing guide
How to grow cabbages in Ireland
Cabbages are several kitchen crops, not one vegetable with one timetable. Pointed summer heads, round cabbages, crinkled Savoys, red cabbage and white storage types have different uses and seasons. A small spring sowing of a summer variety is a straightforward first method. Winter and spring crops need varieties selected for those seasons, not the same plants kept indefinitely.
On this page
At a glance
- Start with
- Seed or young plants labelled for the intended harvest season
- Best position
- Fertile, moisture-retentive, freely draining ground
When and where to start
Indoor sowing. For summer cabbage, sow suitable varieties in spring modules, commonly March to May. Protected February starts suit specific early varieties.
Direct sowing. An outdoor nursery bed is an alternative for suitable spring and summer sowings. Some spring greens are direct-sown in August.
Planting out. Summer plants go out mainly April to July, depending on sowing. Spring pointed cabbage is often sown in July and planted September or early October; winter Savoys commonly go out June or July.
Planting and spacing
Raise sturdy transplants and move them before roots become cramped. Acclimatise protected plants, moisten rootballs and firm into prepared soil.
For compact pointed summer heads, the source table gives about 40 cm rows and 30 cm between plants. Its winter Savoy method uses 60 × 35 cm; white storage cabbage has other layouts.
Decide the variety and desired head size first. Narrower spacing generally gives smaller heads, but cannot turn a large variety into any arbitrary plant size.
Routine care
Water during establishment and dry spells as heads develop. Maintain fertility without pushing overwintering plants into excessive soft autumn growth.
Keep covers secure against pigeons and inspect beneath them. Where practical, avoid following other brassicas and prevent suspect diseased soil moving between beds.
What to watch for
Look for caterpillars, aphids and slugs before they become hidden inside a forming heart. Leaf spots and rots warrant checks of drainage, crowding and crop history.
Clubroot is a listed disease. If poor growth accompanies swollen roots, seek diagnosis rather than guessing treatment; avoid transferring suspect soil elsewhere.
Harvest and storage
Cut headed cabbage when the heart is firm and appropriate to the variety. Spring greens are deliberately gathered unhearted, not necessarily failed headed cabbages.
Winter-standing types and lifted white storage cabbage need different handling. White storage types are frost-prone, so do not assume every cabbage stays outdoors all winter. Use cut cabbage promptly; choose the variety deliberately if winter keeping is the aim.
Common questions
Can I harvest cabbage all year?
Potentially with a sequence of varieties and sowings, not one universal crop.
Are all Savoys winter cabbages?
No. Winter types are familiar, but summer-maturing Savoys also exist.
Does closer spacing mean smaller heads?
Generally, although variety and conditions still matter. Use the layout for the stated type and method.