Drainage for Growing Cabbage Indoors

Pots

• You can use relatively small 1- to 2-gallon pots for leafy vegetables such as cabbage. Use shallow, 12-inch-wide plastic or metal pots for better moisture retention and pots with drainage holes for quick, guaranteed drainage. Use larger 5- to 7-gallon containers for multiple plantings.

Potting Soil and Space

• A quick-draining loam with high organic content is best for cabbage growing. Mix bagged garden loam with compost, peat moss, vermiculite, sawdust, wood chips or perlite for weed-free nutrition and drainage. The organic matter loosens the soil for water and air movement and retains moisture for long-term nourishment. Add 0-20-0 and 6-12-12 or 5-10-10 fertilizer, per manufacturer directions, to give cabbage starting nutrition. Plant cabbage seeds at every 12 inches in multiple plantings, or one per pot in smaller containers.

Site and Nutrition

• Put the pots in areas with four to six hours of natural or artificial light every day. Cabbage tolerates partial shade during the growing season, but needs some sunshine for growth. Feed each cabbage plant at midseason with a balanced or nitrogen-heavy fertilizer.

Maintenance and Harvest

• Cabbage plants require adequate moisture for head production. Keep the soil consistently moist with 2 to 3 inches of water every week. Quick-draining soil mixtures ensure that water drains quickly down to the roots rather than sitting on the surface. Cut cabbage heads for harvest when they reach desired size and before they crack. Harvest heads when they're solid and firm.