When Is Cabbage Ripe Enough to Harvest?

Harvest Window

• The amount of time it takes for cabbage to mature depends on the variety and weather. Cabbage grows best when temperatures are above freezing but below 80 degrees Fahrenheit, although it can tolerate some frost. Green and red cabbage varieties require the least amount of time to reach maturity, generally developing full size heads within 70 to 75 days of transplanting. Savoy types, which feature crinkled, tender leaves, require up to 88 days to reach a size suitable for harvest.

Maturity Signs

• Although you can begin harvesting your cabbage at any time after the heads begin to form, the most flavorful leaves and largest heads require waiting until optimum maturity. Size varies depending on the variety, but most reach 4 to 5 pounds in weight and measure 5 to 6 inches across. The head becomes firm and doesn't yield when you press on it. Although the outer leaves on the head may curl outward, the inner head remains firm and tight.

Harvest Method

• The heads require cutting as soon as they reach maturity. If the cabbage is close to full size and heavy rain is expected, you may want to harvest early. Heavy rainfall can cause almost mature cabbage heads to split open, which makes them unsuitable for storage. When cutting the cabbage, use a sharp, clean knife. Cut through the stem beneath the head so that the wrapper leaves, or the loose outer foliage, remain intact to protect the head.

Storage

• The long storage life of a fully mature cabbage is dependent on the method. Cabbage stores best at temperatures near 32 degrees but above freezing. It declines rapidly if conditions are too dry and achieves maximum storage life when humidity is near 95 percent. In the best conditions, cabbage retains its quality for three to six months. It only stores well uncut in the refrigerator for two to four weeks. Fruits that produce ethylene gas as they ripen, such as apples, diminish the storage life of the cabbage.