How to Grow Cabbage in Containers And Pots

Choosing the Right Container or Pot to Grow Cabbage

When looking to grow cabbage in containers, there are several options that will work well. Choosing the right container is important. It ensures optimal growing conditions for your cabbage plants. Some common containers used for container cabbage include:

Plastic or metal pots make great containers for cabbage. Look for pots that are at least 12 inches deep to accommodate the cabbage’s long roots. Wide, shallow pots around 16 inches in diameter are suitable.

Raised garden beds with sides can be used, like large pots for cabbage. Beds should be at least 12 inches deep. If using an existing raised bed, space the cabbage plants appropriately. Base the spacing on the bed’s dimensions.

Buckets or trash cans cut in half horizontally also function as cabbage planters. Make drainage holes in the bottom. Compared to traditional pots, their greater width allows for more soil space. This also allows for staggered planting.

Window boxes can be utilized if given adequate depth for cabbage roots. Select a window box at least 12 inches deep. Plant varieties suited to the box’s narrow width, like compact cabbage varieties.

When selecting your container, consider its size, depth, and construction material. This will help you meet the needs of growing cabbage in containers. Most containers will work. However, some styles are better suited based on the growing requirements of cabbage plants. Proper container selection sets your cabbage up for success.

In case you missed: Growth stages of Cabbage

Picking the Best Varieties of Cabbage Plant for Containers

When growing cabbage in containers, select varieties well-suited to the constraints of container culture. Compact types that don’t require staking are ideal. Consider varieties that mature quickly too for a time-efficient harvest.

Some good options for container cabbage include:

Early Jersey Wakefield: Produces small, cone-shaped heads in around 63 days. Great container cabbage choice for early summer harvests.

Golden Acre: Forms tight, rounded 2-3-pound heads in 65 days. Its gold-colored leaves add visual appeal to containers.

Primero: Tasty round savoy cabbage matures in just 45 days. Ideal for growing cabbage in pots and repeated plantings.

Minuet: Heart-shaped compact cabbage grows to only 6 inches wide, perfect for window boxes or small spaces. Ready in 50 days.

Bravo: Forms dense, smooth 4-5-pound heads slowly over 65–80 days. More time to mature, but is heat- and cold-tolerant.

For container gardens in particular, choose miniature and ballhead cabbage cultivars bred for their compact growth habits, which conserve container space while still yielding tasty cabbages. Quick-maturing sorts allow for successive crops too.

Soil and Planting Requirements for Container Cabbages

The soil mixture used for container cabbage should emulate in-ground garden soil. It’s important to select a soil with proper nutrition levels and structure. Some qualities to look for include:

• Loam-based soil with a balance of sand, silt, and clay for optimum water retention and drainage. This promotes healthy root development.
• Soil rich in organic matter, like compost or worm castings, can buffer pH levels. It provides food for microbes and cabbage plants. Aim for 3–5% organic content.
• Nutritive value with fertilizer added. Cabbage needs balanced nutrition of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Slow-release varieties prevent burning in containers.

For cabbage seeds, sow directly into prepared containers in early spring when nights are above 40°F. Space seeds 1/2 to 1 inch apart. Then, cover the seeds. Thin later, if needed, based on variety.

Transplants can also work for an earlier harvest. Plant cabbage seedlings with their roots just below the soil line. Space them as recommended for the variety and container size. Most dwarf kinds require 12–18 inches between plants.

Be sure to water transplants well. Maintain even soil moisture as cabbages grow in containers. Their root balls should never completely dry out. Proper soil preparation and conditions set cabbage up for container success.

Care and Maintenance Tips for Container Cabbages

Once planted, container cabbage requires routine care to thrive. Some key tasks include:

Weeding is important to remove any competitors for nutrients and water. Check containers regularly, pulling young weeds by the root to prevent re-growth.

Use mulch around cabbage after planting to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds. Organic mulches like shredded leaves are beneficial. Refrain from mulching cabbage stems directly to avoid rot issues.

Ensure container cabbage receives a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. In sunny zones, provide shade with a lattice or cloth if plants look stressed. Indirect light is suitable for overwintering container cabbage.

Container soil can dry quickly. Maintain even moisture levels by watering when the top inch becomes dry. It’s better to water infrequently and deeply rather than lightly and daily. Deep watering encourages cabbage roots to grow deep. This benefits growing cabbage in pots.

Check for pests like cabbageworms and diseases like clubroot. When growing cabbage in containers, remove infected leaves. Improve air circulation to prevent disease. You can also encourage beneficial insects.

Final Tips for a Bountiful Container Cabbage Harvest!

With the right planning and routines, growing cabbage in containers offers homeowners a tasty, productive vegetable crop. Here are some final suggestions:

Share photos of your container cabbage harvests and thriving plants on social media! Inspire others to try this versatile container vegetable.

Try different cabbage recipes like coleslaw, stir fries, soups, and kimchi to inspire new uses for your homegrown harvest. Creative cooking will maximize the value of your container-grown cabbage.

For winter storage, remove the core but keep the cabbage heads intact, and refrigerate in a plastic bag. They’ll last 3–4 months. Or invest in a root cellar or cold frame for overwintering container cabbages.

You can also try successive plantings of quick-maturing cabbage every 2-3 months for a season-long harvest. Stagger planting times of heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Bravo’ for constant production.

FAQs About Growing Cabbage in Containers

Conclusion

Gardeners can grow cabbage in a containers. This is a rewarding way to include vegetables in their landscape, even without a traditional in-ground garden space. With the right variety selections matched to container type, along with diligent care and maintenance, home growers can successfully raise tasty cabbage crops from confined planters.

Whether utilizing pots, raised beds, buckets, or unique container styles, following best practices around soil prep, planting, watering, and pest prevention sets cabbage up to thrive when grown in containers. With a bit of experimentation, you can find the ideal varieties and methods for your climate and conditions. Container gardening opens up new possibilities for cabbage harvests throughout the growing season and beyond.