How to grow cabbage in a raised bed

Cabbage is a hardy, generous cool-season crop, and a raised bed at waist height makes netting it against cabbage whites a breeze — which is most of the battle.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun
• Spacing: 40–50 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 35 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 10–16 weeks

When should I plant cabbage?

Cabbage is a cool-season crop — plant from late summer through autumn and winter. Our free garden calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

• Subtropical (Brisbane & SEQ): March to August
• Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth): January to April and August
• Cool & mountain (Tasmania, Canberra, highlands): August to September and December to March
• Tropical (Cairns, Darwin): April to July
• Arid inland: February to July

How do I grow cabbage in a raised bed?

Plant into rich, firm mix. The big job is keeping cabbage-white caterpillars off, so cover the bed with insect netting from the start — far easier than picking grubs out of a forming head.

How often should I water and feed cabbage?

Water deeply and evenly and feed well for solid heads; Dynamic Lifter is ideal. Keep water off the leaves.

What pests attack cabbage?

Keep an eye out for caterpillars, aphids, whiteflies and stink bugs. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

What diseases affect cabbage?

The main ones are downy mildew and leaf spot. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

What grows well with cabbage?

Aromatic herbs and beetroot are good neighbours; keep cabbage away from strawberries. See our companion planting guide.

When do I harvest cabbage?

Cut the head once it's firm and solid. Leave the outer leaves and stump in and you may get a few small secondary heads.

Plan your patch: our free garden calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Dinesh Valke from Thane, India, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.