North Georgia
Use approximately Jan. 29–Mar. 29 for spring and Aug. 1–Sept. 17 for fall. Choose maturity carefully so fall heads finish before severe cold.
Georgia cool-season brassica guide
Growing Cabbage in Georgia
Cabbage fits both spring and fall Georgia gardens, but firm heads depend on cool-season timing, steady moisture, sensible spacing and protection from brassica pests.
Cool weather, firm heads and brassica rotation
Georgia Cabbage Quick Facts
Season
Grow cabbage as a spring or fall cool-season crop.
Planting method
Early cabbage is commonly started in containers and transplanted.
Spacing
About 12 inches between medium-head plants is a useful starting point.
Harvest
Cut heads when they feel firm and solid.
PLANT BY REGION
When to Plant Cabbage in Georgia
UGA's current home-garden chart gives Middle Georgia spring and fall windows, then directs gardeners to shift North Georgia about two weeks later in spring and earlier in fall, while South Georgia spring planting can begin two weeks earlier and fall planting can continue somewhat later.
Middle Georgia
Use Jan. 15–Mar. 15 for spring and Aug. 15–Oct. 1 for fall, adjusting for current weather and transplant readiness.
South Georgia
Use approximately Jan. 1–Mar. 1 for spring. UGA supports fall planting somewhat later than Middle Georgia, but does not publish a precise two-week South Georgia fall shift.
Ranges follow the UGA Home Gardening planting chart. The South Georgia fall qualification is intentionally qualitative because the source does not give an exact offset.
Choose maturity and head size for the season
Cabbage Varieties for Georgia Gardens
Blue Dynasty
A UGA-listed starting point for Georgia gardeners. Check the current seed description for maturity and head-size details.
Bravo
Another UGA-listed cultivar. Match its days to maturity to the available spring or fall cool-weather window.
Early Round Dutch
An early-season name on Georgia recommendations and a useful option where the crop must finish before sustained heat.
Set healthy transplants into prepared soil
How to Plant and Grow Cabbage
Full sun
Use a sunny bed through the cool growing season.
Soil
Provide fertile, well-drained soil and use a soil test to guide amendments.
Moisture
Keep soil moisture reasonably uniform while heads develop.
Room to head
Space medium-head varieties about 12 inches apart in rows roughly 2½ feet apart.
Transplants give early cabbage a dependable head start.
UGA identifies early cabbage among crops best started in containers before setting healthy, hardened plants in the garden. Water promptly after transplanting.
Keep growth steady as heads form
Head Formation, Bolting and Splitting
Loose heads
Heat, crowding, uneven growth or a poorly matched variety can prevent firm head development.
Bolting
Stress and temperature swings can push cabbage toward flowering before a useful head forms. Start with sturdy plants and season-appropriate timing.
Splitting
Rapid water uptake after dry conditions or leaving mature heads too long can contribute to cracking. Keep moisture steady and harvest promptly.
Rotate the whole brassica family
Companion Gardening and Crop Rotation
Use companions to improve diversity and support beneficial insects without crowding cabbage or restricting airflow. Cabbage, broccoli, kale, collards and cauliflower are close relatives; moving from one to another in the same bed does not create a meaningful family rotation.
Scout leaves and protect the developing head
Common Cabbage Problems in Georgia
Cabbage worms and loopers
Inspect leaf undersides and the center of plants for caterpillars, feeding holes and frass. Identify the pest before choosing a control.
Aphids
Check curled leaves and head folds for colonies. Strong plants, regular scouting and beneficial insects can reduce minor infestations.
Disease pressure
Rotation, clean transplants, drainage, airflow and removal of badly affected debris help limit repeated brassica disease problems.
Cut firm heads before quality declines
Harvesting Cabbage
Harvest when the head feels firm and solid for its cultivar. Use a sharp knife, leave loose outer wrapper leaves behind, and do not delay once mature heads begin showing stress or cracking.
Grow → Harvest → Cook: Carry crisp Georgia cabbage into the protected recipes below, then browse the complete Georgia Garden Recipe Finder.
From cool-season heads to the kitchen
Cabbage Recipes
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Tender cabbage leaves wrapped around seasoned meat and rice, then baked in tomato sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 head of cabbage
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 can tomato sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil cabbage until leaves are pliable. Remove leaves.
- Mix ground meat, cooked rice, onion, salt, and pepper.
- Place a scoop of the mixture on each cabbage leaf, roll, and secure with toothpicks.
- Place in a baking dish, cover with tomato sauce, and bake until cooked through.
Cabbage and Apple Slaw
Crisp cabbage and apples tossed in a creamy Dijon and apple-cider-vinegar dressing.
Ingredients
- 1/2 head of cabbage, thinly sliced
- 2 apples, julienned
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine cabbage and apples.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar.
- Pour the dressing over the cabbage and apples, toss to coat, and season with salt and pepper.
Southern Skillet Cabbage with Bacon
Fresh cabbage cooked in a skillet with crisp bacon, onion, garlic and a splash of apple cider vinegar.
Ingredients
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium head green cabbage, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer it to a plate, leaving 2 tablespoons drippings in the skillet.
- Add the onion and cook for 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the cabbage, salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes. Toss to coat, cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring once.
- Uncover and cook for 5 to 8 minutes more, until the cabbage is tender and lightly browned at the edges.
- Stir in the vinegar and bacon. Taste for seasoning and serve hot.
Garden kitchen note: For the best texture, cook until tender but stop before the cabbage becomes mushy.
Garden Cabbage and Sausage Soup
A hearty cabbage soup with smoked sausage, tomatoes, carrots, celery and thyme in savory broth.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 6 cups chopped green cabbage
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook for 5 minutes, until browned. Transfer to a plate.
- Add the onion, carrots and celery to the pot. Cook for 6 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the broth and tomatoes. Add the cabbage, thyme, salt and black pepper.
- Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, until the cabbage and carrots are tender.
- Return the sausage to the pot and simmer for 5 minutes. Taste for seasoning before serving.
Garden kitchen note: Refrigerate cooled soup for up to 4 days. The cabbage will soften further as the soup rests.
Continue your Georgia cool-season garden
Keep Exploring GA Garden
Compare broccoli, kale, collards and more in the Georgia vegetable guide. Continue with the Georgia Planting Calendar, Companion Planting, Pest & Disease Help and Harvesting Guides.