Information on Cabbage Plants

Varieties and Colors

• Cabbage comes in a handful of colors including dark green, light green, red, purplish-red and bi-colors. Some red varieties include Ruby Ball and Red Meteor. Savory King has a dark green color and high tolerance to heat. Both Cheers and King Cole have tight heads and a rich green color, although King Cole has more of a pointed head. Some cabbages have very tight heads with a few loose leaves around the exterior while other species spread out and open completely.

Growing Cabbage

• It's vital to prepare the soil in advance before growing cabbage crops. Like all plants, cabbage needs healthy soil to thrive and produce large healthy florets. Tilling the ground and adding compost can improve the soil's quality. Space cabbage transplants or seedlings 12 to 24 inches apart in rows, so they have room to grow. Plant the seeds up to 1/2 inch deep and dig a 4 inch or deeper hole when planting transplants to ensure the roots are covered. Lightly water your crops daily unless it rains. Cabbage grows well in the spring, fall and early winter, depending on where you live.

Diseases

• Cabbage plants can develop various diseases from pest invasions, poor soil and other problems. Club root (Plasmodiophora brassicae), downy mildew (Peronospora parasitica) and blackleg (Phoma lingam) are all common cabbage diseases. Prevent and control these diseases by ensuring the soil is healthy and observing the plants carefully. The University of Minnesota Extension recommends rotating crops every three years, controlling pests and weeds along with destroying unused plants in seedbeds.

Pests

• Certain pests such as the cabbage looper, aphid, cabbage maggot and cabbage webworm like to invade and devour cabbage crops. Aphids create colonies underneath the leaves and disrupt the plant's structure. Cabbage worms chew large holes in the plant until it dies off. Maintaining healthy soil may help plants become more resistant to pests, but sometimes it's necessary to implement pest control methods. Spray the crops with Neem oil or other natural insecticide soaps. You can also use chemical pest control products, but use caution and follow the directions carefully.