Cabbage (Spring Red) Growing Guide Brassica oleracea Crop Rotation Group Brassicas (Cabbage family) ● Soil Rich, deep soil, firm with plenty of well rotted compost dug in. Position Full sun Frost tolerant Yes Feeding Not required if good soil. Spacing Single Plants: 75cm (2' 5") each way (minimum) Rows: 60cm (1' 11") with 90cm (2' 11") row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Sow late summer to move to final positions in autumn to be over-wintered and ready for spring. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area. Notes Try growing different varieties from seed to explore differences in leaf colour and type. Most early-maturing cabbage varieties produce smallish heads. Harvesting Harvest early plants or leave to mature to a firm 'heart' until early summer. Small secondary heads often grow from the base of early cabbage plants after the primary head is cut. Troubleshooting Surround stem with a 10cm (4 inch) mat with a slit cut into it for the stem to prevent cabbage root fly from destroying the roots. Use fine mesh or fleece over the summer to prevent butterflies laying eggs on the underside of leaves - caterpillars can destroy these plants. Planting and Harvesting Calendar < Back to All Plants Pests which Affect Cabbage (Spring Red) Aphid, Cabbage Aphids (General) Cabbage Moth Cabbage Root Fly Cabbage White Butterfly Cutworm Diamondback Moth Flea Beetle Slug Snail Plant Diseases which Affect Cabbage (Spring Red) Brassica Alternaria Leaf Spot Brassica Black Rot Brassica Club Root Brassica Downy Mildew Cabbage Soft Rot