Leafy & brassicas
Cabbage
Firm heads that reward steady growth.
Sowing & planting windows in Australia
Planting timing varies by broad Australian gardening zone. Local weather, unusual seasons and your garden’s microclimate can shift timing.
Cool
Sow · Sep-Apr
Core months: January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December
Possible / shoulder months: August
Temperate
Sow · Jul-Apr
Core months: January, February, March, April, July, August, September, October, November, December
Subtropical
Sow · Mar-Oct
Core months: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Tropical
Sow · Apr-Aug
Core months: April, May, June, July, August
Arid
Sow · Feb-May
Core months: February, March, April, May
Getting started
Sow in trays or a seedbed and transplant strong young plants. Seed can also be sown directly and thinned. Allow room for the mature head size of your variety.
The right conditions
Use a sunny position with fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Cabbage generally suits cooler growing conditions.
As it grows
Keep plants watered during dry spells and control weeds while they establish. Inspect leaf undersides for caterpillars. Growth checks can reduce the quality of the head.
Ready to harvest
Harvest when the head feels firm and has reached a useful size for its variety. Cut through the stem below the head; avoid leaving mature heads until they split.
Plant guidance: Desk-reviewed against linked sources; not field-tested. Planting windows are a guide rather than a rule.