How To Grow Cabbage In Containers: An Easy Guide

Do you like eating cabbage and want to grow it yourself but don’t have outdoor space? Then this article is for you!

Owing to their small size, cabbages can be grown just as well in containers as they can in the ground, making them perfect for gardeners with limited space.

How To Grow Cabbage In Containers

Whether you have little space, poor garden soil, or perhaps you just don’t want to work in the garden, then growing cabbage in a container is a perfect option for growing your own produce.

Container growing is also perfect in you need to grow your cabbages inside.

With a little care, you can have fresh, nutritious, and fibre-rich cabbage on your plate.

So, are you ready to grow cabbages in containers? Before you get your gardening gloves on, spare a few minutes to read this article to learn how to grow cabbage in containers so that you can produce the best cabbage possible!

How To Grow And Care For Cabbage In Containers

Don’t worry, growing cabbage in containers won’t take you much time. In fact, it is quite easy.

You have to meet just a few basic requirements, and your luscious green cabbages will flourish!

Here are the main growing conditions you need to consider to successfully grow cabbages in containers:

Choosing The Right Container

The cabbage plant grows up to almost 4 feet in height and width. So choose a container that has a capacity of almost 5 gallons in volume.

A 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide container is enough to grow a cabbage plant, but small containers can stunt the growth of the cabbage.

Bear in mind that if you plant more cabbage plants per container, it will result in smaller heads of the cabbages. There are many types of containers available on the market you can choose from:; wood, plastic, and clay are the most used ones.

Ensure that the pot is clean; if not, be sure to wash it thoroughly before you start planting.

The container should have 2-3 drainage holes to drain out excess water. Partially cover the drainage holes with small stones to avoid leakage of the soil.

Season

Spring and autumn are the best seasons to grow cabbage in pots as the temperature during these seasons is ideal for the growth of cabbage.

You can also grow cabbage in summer but keep your plant from direct sunlight exposure and also increase the watering frequency. Adding a layer of mulch can help keep the soil moist.

Soil

The best soil produces the best plants. So be mindful of the quality of the soil.

Cabbage prefers well-drained loamy soil rich in organic matter and nutrients. It likes growing in moist conditions, so adding one-fourth of peat moss or manure is a good idea since it will help retain the moisture and drain the excess water.

If you don’t want to form your own potting mix, then the use of commercially available soil mix is recommended.

Light

Place your container in a spot that receives an adequate amount of sunlight. A shady place can stunt growth and result in smaller heads.

A place receiving 5-6 hours of sunlight is ideal for cabbage. During the intense hot season, place your container in a location that receives partial sunlight. Intense heat can burn the leaves of the cabbage.

Water

Water your cabbage plant regularly as it likes to stay in moist soil. Especially during the seedling stage, don’t let the soil dry as it will affect its growth greatly.

Check the top 1 inch of the soil with your finger. If you feel it is dry, then it is time to water the plant.

Also, make sure that you don’t overwater the cabbage as it will also affect its growth and can cause diseases.

Fertilizers

Fertilizing your cabbages increases their head sizes and keeps them healthy. So feed your cabbage plants with a balanced organic fertilizer every week during their vegetative growth.

Use of water-soluble fertilizers containing N:P:K during head formation boosts the growth of the plant. You can also use fish emulsions, compost tea, and organic manures.

How To Grow Cabbage In Containers

How To Grow Cabbage From Seeds

The seeds of the cabbage are similar to mustard seeds. They have a dark red or brown colour. You can buy seeds from any physical or online seed store or nursery.

So read the following steps to know how to grow cabbage in containers from seeds.

  • Take a planting tray and fill it with potting mixture.
  • Spread the seeds over the soil and cover them with a very fine layer of potting mix.
  • Water the soil thoroughly with a water can but don’t overwater the soil.
  • Place the tray in a place that receives 2-3 hours of daily sunlight.
  • The seed will take 7-15 days to germinate.
  • After 4-6 weeks, when they would have reached 3-4 inches in height and 3-4 sets of leaves, transplant them very carefully into the larger container.

How To Grow Cabbage From Transplants

You can buy seedlings or transplants from the nursery or use homegrown transplants. You can even grow them from cabbage heads.

Growing cabbage from transplants is rather easy than growing it from seeds. Follow the following steps to grow cabbage from transplant:

  • Take a pot of reasonable size as described above and fill it with well-drained soil.
  • With the help of your fingers, make a 2-inch hole in the centre of the soil and plant your seedling very carefully into it.
  • Again with fingers, move the soil around the stems to support it.
  • Place your pot at a place that receives 5-6 hours of sunlight daily.
  • Water and feed your cabbage plants as described above.
  • Cabbage plants take almost 75-160 days to mature, depending on the variety of the cabbage.
How To Grow Cabbage In Containers

How to Harvest Cabbages Grown In Containers

Now you are clear about how to grow cabbage in a container. What comes next is how to harvest it.

  • Take a sharp knife and cut the cabbage heads without damaging the plants and roots.
  • Always cut the head 1-2 inches above the root level.
  • Cabbage is ready to use. Eat them fresh or store them in the refrigerator for later use.

Final Thoughts

Growing cabbage in containers is a good alternative to outdoor growing if you don’t have space.

By providing them with the ideal conditions and a little care, they grow equally well in containers.

So, what are you waiting for now? Go and start growing your own cabbage in the containers.

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