How to grow Cabbage in New Zealand
Cabbage is one of the easiest and most productive brassicas, with round, conical, savoy and red types to choose from and something to sow in most months. Heads are ready in about two to three months from transplanting. Firm soil, steady watering and insect mesh against white butterfly are the keys to solid, clean heads.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Cabbage in New Zealand
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | August to November, January to March | |
| Auckland | August to November, January to March | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | August to November, January to March | |
| Central North Island | August to November, January to March | |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | August to November, January to March | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | August to November, January to March | |
| Canterbury | August to November, January to March | |
| Otago & Southland | August to November, January to March | |
| Central Otago | August to November, January to March |
Where to plant
Plant cabbages in full sun in firm, well-limed soil rich in compost, as loose ground gives loose heads. Rotate cabbages and other brassicas around the garden, not returning to the same bed for at least three years, to avoid clubroot.
- Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty: sow from late summer into autumn (January to March) and again in early spring (August to October).
- Central North Island, Wellington, Nelson and Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago and Southland, and Central Otago: sow from January to March and from August to November, covering early spring seedlings on frosty nights in the coldest areas.
Choosing a variety
- Copenhagen Market: an early heirloom with dense, round 2 to 2.5 kg heads and a short core, good for smaller gardens.
- Sugarloaf: sweet, conical heads of 1 to 2 kg on a compact plant, early maturing. Good raw in coleslaw.
- Vertus Savoy: crinkled leaves and a flat-round 2 to 3 kg head that holds well in the garden.
- Red Acre: a deep purple-red heirloom with dense, round heads for slaws and pickling.
- Golden Acre and other fast round types suit small gardens.
How to plant
- Sow seed about 6 mm deep in trays of seed raising mix.
- Keep moist; seedlings appear in 5 to 10 days.
- Transplant seedlings 45 to 50 cm apart into firm soil enriched with compost and lime.
- Firm the soil around each plant, water in and mulch with pea or lucerne straw.
- Cover the bed with insect mesh from the day you plant, against white butterfly and diamondback moth.
Watering and feeding
Water two or three times a week in dry weather, keeping the supply steady. Uneven watering, or a heavy soaking after a dry spell, can split the heads. Mulch to hold moisture.
Feed every couple of weeks with a liquid fertiliser for leafy vegetables while the heads are forming.
Pruning and care through the year
- Keep insect mesh on while white butterfly and diamondback moth are active, from spring to autumn.
- Keep the bed weeded and the soil firm around the stems.
Harvesting
Cut the head at the base once it feels firm and solid when squeezed.
Whole heads keep about two weeks in the fridge. Once cut, wrap the rest tightly and use it within 3 to 4 days.
Growing in pots
Hearting cabbages are not ideal in pots. Non-hearting Asian types such as wombok or bok choy grow well in a trough about 60 cm long, or grow cabbage as microgreens on a windowsill, ready in 2 to 3 weeks.
Using it
Shred cabbage raw for coleslaw, chop it into stir-fries and soups, braise red cabbage, or ferment it into sauerkraut and kimchi. Savoy leaves are good for wrapping fillings.
Companion planting
Aromatic herbs and flowers around cabbages bring in beneficial insects that prey on caterpillars and aphids.
Good companions
- Beetroot A quick root crop that fits between the plants.
- Onion A slim crop that fits between rows.
- Dill Its flowers attract hoverflies and parasitic wasps.
- Celery Likes the same cool, moist, fertile conditions.
- Rosemary A strongly scented herb traditionally grown near cabbages.
- Sage Another aromatic herb traditionally grown near brassicas.
- Thyme A low herb for the edge of the bed that flowers for bees.
- Chamomile Its flowers bring in beneficial insects.
- Nasturtium Draws aphids and some caterpillars away from the crop.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to cabbage.
- Tomato A summer crop that wants different conditions and shades young cabbages.
- Strawberry Traditionally kept away from cabbage family crops.
- Climbing beans Traditionally kept away from brassicas, and they shade the bed.
Pests and diseases
Caterpillars, slugs and aphids are the main problems. Insect mesh and good hygiene prevent most of them.
Pests to watch for
- White butterfly Irregular holes in leaves, green caterpillars and droppings, and white butterflies hovering around.
- Diamondback moth Small green caterpillars that wriggle when touched, and leaves with small holes and windows.
- Aphids New leaves distorted and yellow, insects crowded on young leaves, and sooty mould.
- Slugs Large ragged holes and silvery trails, especially on seedlings.
- Snails Chew marks on leaf edges after damp nights.
Diseases to watch for
- Clubroot Plants wilt on warm days, with swollen, distorted roots. Rotate beds and lime acid soil.
- Black rot Yellow, V-shaped patches from the leaf edges with blackened veins. Remove affected plants.
- Downy mildew Yellow patches on leaves with grey fuzz underneath in cool, damp weather.
Common questions
When do I plant cabbage in New Zealand?
From January to March for autumn and winter heads, and from August to November for spring and summer heads in most regions. In the warm north, the main sowings are late summer to autumn and early spring.
Why are my cabbages splitting?
Uneven watering, especially heavy rain or watering after a dry spell, makes the heads grow suddenly and split. Water steadily two or three times a week and pick heads once they are firm.
Why won't my cabbage form a head?
Loose soil, too little water or food, heat, or crowding can all stop heading. Plant into firm, limed, compost-rich soil 45 to 50 cm apart and keep the water steady.
How do I keep caterpillars off cabbages?
Cover them with fine insect mesh from planting so white butterflies and diamondback moths cannot lay eggs on them.
Can I grow cabbage in a pot?
Hearting cabbages are not ideal in pots. Grow Asian types such as wombok or bok choy in a trough, or cabbage microgreens on a windowsill.
How long does cabbage take to grow?
About 60 to 90 days from transplanting, depending on the variety and season.
Sources we checked: Yates NZ: How to grow cabbage; Yates NZ: Common problems of cabbage; Kings Seeds: Cabbage Copenhagen Market; Kings Seeds: Cabbage Sugarloaf Mix; Kings Seeds: Cabbage Vertus Savoy; Kings Seeds: Cabbage Red Acre.