Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. capitata
Also known asGreen cabbage · Red cabbage · Savoy cabbage · Headed cabbage · Kohl
Environment
The bounded range this crop tolerates.
Climate and zones
- USDA zones
- 3–10 (winter low around -40°C)
- Frost
- frost hardy
- Season
- cool (spring/fall)
Growing systems
Root mass: heavy. Thin-channel systems can't hold this crop.
Growing media
| Medium | pH effect | Retention | Bacterial surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soil-based mix (Potting soil) | varies | high | high |
| Coco coir (Coconut coir) | slightly acidic | high | moderate |
Nutrient demand by stage
NPK ratios are relative weights. EC targets shift through the plant's life.
| Stage | N | P | K | EC (mS/cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seedling | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1.2 |
| vegetative | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2.2 |
Companion-growing notes
- Heavy uptake of nitrogen, potassium. Co-grown crops with the same demand will end up deficient even at "correct" EC.
Aquaponics suitability
Compatible
Fish waste provides enough nitrogen for healthy growth. Supplemental potassium, calcium, and iron may still be needed depending on fish stocking density.
Care notes
A moderate hydroponic crop suited to cool-season production. Large containers or media beds with 15 cm depth for root development. EC 2.0-3.0 mS/cm. pH 6.0-7.0. Temperature: 12–22°C (below 10°C, heads develop slowly but with excellent quality; above 25°C, heads are loose and may split). Moderate light (DLI 14-20 mol/m2/day). From transplant to harvest: 70-100 days for standard varieties, 50-65 days for early/mini varieties ('Gonzales', 'Pixie'). Mini varieties are better suited to hydroponics because they're harvested smaller and occupy less space. The head forms as inner leaves wrap progressively tighter. Harvest when the head is firm and dense; overmaturity causes splitting. Calcium supplementation prevents internal tipburn (brown margins on inner leaves). Caterpillars (cabbage looper, imported cabbageworm) are the main pest. For hydroponics, the long crop time and space requirements make cabbage less efficient than faster leafy greens, but mini varieties at $2-4 retail per head are economically viable.
Notable varieties
| Cultivar | Type | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Jersey Wakefield | heirloom | 65 | 1840 American heirloom. Pointed conical 1-1.5 kg heads. The earliest cabbage, what gets planted for first-summer harvest before heat shuts down brassica growth. |
| Copenhagen Market | heirloom | 75 | 1909 Danish round green cabbage, 2 kg heads. Storage-quality but earlier than dedicated storage varieties. Good all-purpose home garden choice. |
| Brunswick | heirloom | 95 | Large flat 3-5 kg heads, the traditional sauerkraut cabbage. Late storage, keeps well in cold cellar. |
| Savoy Perfection | open pollinated | 95 | Crinkled savoy leaves, milder flavor than smooth green cabbage. Holds in the field longer without bolting; the savoy of choice for fall harvest. |
| Mammoth Red Rock | heirloom | 100 | Large deep-red heads, 2-3 kg. The most cold-hardy red cabbage; the variety to grow if you want red cabbage in zone 4-5. |