Your cabbage plants will flourish with steady care and monitoring. They need at least six hours per day of sun, but you should aim for 8-10 hours. As a cool-season vegetable, growing temperatures of 55-65 degrees are ideal. Long stretches above 75 degrees can cause premature flowering and other issues. Water the soil regularly so that it stays moist. This is typically 1-2 inches per week; aim on the higher side while the head is forming.

Some pests are so attracted to cabbage that the plant is in their name. These include cabbage worms, cabbage loopers and cabbage root maggots. Take precautions against them along with cutworms and slugs. Rotate cabbage planting spots to reduce disease risk.

Enjoy a jump-start on the growing season by seeding cabbages indoors 6-8 weeks before the final spring frost. Sow seeds a quarter-inch deep in a light seed-starting mix. Prove plenty of sun or grow lights and keep the soil moist; consider a misting bottle or watering from the bottom to avoid disruption. Cabbage seeds can germinate at temperatures down to 40 degrees, but room temperature produces the best results. After the seedlings develop 3-4 true leaves, have a week-long hardening-off period where you gradually expose them to outdoor conditions.

Cabbages can be planted in the spring once the ground is workable and the final threat of frost has passed. In hot climates, consider early fall plantings for a winter harvest. Transplants should be set 12-18 inches apart to leave room for the heads and root system; space the rows 2-3 apart. For direct ground planting, the initial seeds can be close together. Once the seedlings have true leaves, thin them to 12-18-inch spacing. For container cabbage, use at least a five-gallon pot for each plant with good drainage.

The cabbage family of plants are heavy eaters. Mix slow-release fertilizer or compost into the soil before planting, then apply a balanced granular fertilizer or natural compost every 3-4 weeks. Follow the package instructions for best results. Seedlings can be fertilized once they have at least two true leaves; use a diluted liquid fertilizer or fish emulsion every two weeks. Doing regular soil testing will determine if you need to add micronutrients.

While cabbage is treated as an annual, it is a biennial and will produce a second season of flowering and seeds with proper winterization. Harvest the heads before the first fall frost, then add 2-4 inches of mulch. Despite being a cold-weather crop, cabbages are very sensitive to frost, so you may need additional frost blankets or covers. Bring potted cabbage plants indoors and keep them in a cool, well-lit area.

While pruning is optional, it can help cabbage heads grow faster and more fully. The big thing is removing leaves that are broken, yellowing or have other damage so they don’t entice pests and disease. You can also cut off outer leaves to improve airflow or control the plant size in tight spaces.

You can harvest the cabbage head once it is firm but hasn’t split; there’s no predetermined size. Use a knife or shear to cleanly cut the stem at the base. Unwashed cabbages can be stored for up to three weeks in the refrigerator or another cool, dry place.