Apr 23, 2023

How To Grow Red Cabbage From Seed: A Step-By-Step Guide

Red cabbage is basically the same as green cabbage, a nutritious and healthy ingredient for the body. But did you know that the red variety has 10 times more vitamin A and twice as much iron compared to green cabbage? It is truly a miracle vegetable that should be in your garden. But how should you plant it and take care of it? Join us in our guide on how to grow red cabbage from seed here! Some essential tips will help you have a colorful and healthy cabbage garden.

1. When should you plant red cabbage?

2. Should you grow red cabbage from seeds or scraps?

3. How to grow red cabbage from seeds

3.1 Prepare the soil

3.2 Prepare red cabbage seeds

3.3 Sow and care for the seeds

3.4 Transplant red cabbage seedlings

3.5 Take care of seedlings until mature

4. How to harvest red cabbage

5. Conclusion

1. When should you plant red cabbage?

This type of cabbage is easier to grow than you think. Although it is a biennial, it is grown as an annual ray plant. You can sow seeds in spring, summer, fall, or even winter to enjoy continuous cabbage. However, consider weather conditions to determine the right time to plant seeds.

Sowing cabbage in late Spring: Red cabbage varieties can be sown from February to March. Please keep them in a heated greenhouse and ensure the temperature is around 15℃. Between May and May 6, you will have mature plants to harvest.

Sowing cabbage in Summer: The right time to sow seeds is late March or early April. The ideal places to plant seeds are cold beds with foil tunnels. After about a month (in May), you can transplant the seedlings into the garden bed, then harvest the mature cabbage from July to September.

Besides, the purple cabbage seeds can be sown in April to May to harvest in October to December; or in September to October to harvest in March to May. However, if sowing in winter, make sure your area is frost-free.

2. Should you grow red cabbage from seeds or scraps?

Scraps are the remains of red cabbage attached to the base, while seeds start a growing cycle. Whether you grow this cabbage from seed or scrap, apply it correctly to enjoy a great crop.

Growing cabbage from scraps: Place the remaining stem in a shallow container filled with water, leaving it in a place with good light access. Roots and leaves will begin to grow after 3 or 4 days. Wait until the roots are fully developed, then bring your cabbage to the garden.

Growing red cabbage from seed: It takes more time to grow vegetables from seed, but it's worth the process. Growing from seed also allows you to grow new varieties of vegetables instead of repeating old types from the previous season. Furthermore, seedlings that grow from seeds are usually healthier, resulting in thicker and tastier heads of cabbage. You will learn about the process of growing cabbage from seeds now.

3. How to grow red cabbage from seeds

Follow these steps to start your red cabbage garden from small seeds:

3.1 Prepare the soil

This type of cabbage can grow on sandy loam or even clay soil. But to grow well, prepare the soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7. Besides, apply organic fertilizer and moisten the soil to provide a suitable environment for the seeds. If you are planting seeds in a pot, make sure the pot has a drainage hole to regulate the water each time you water.

3.2 Prepare red cabbage seeds

To ensure a high germination rate, you need good-quality red cabbage seeds. Seeds can be harvested from your garden from the previous season, but choose only strong ones. A better way is to buy seeds from farms or online stores specializing in seasonal seeds, such as TheRike, where you can find good cabbage seeds to sow.

3.3 Sow and care for the seeds

You should plant the seeds indoors before transplanting them into the garden. Sow the seeds in containers with drainage holes in the bottom about 4 weeks before the last frost. When sowing seeds, gently press them into the ground with your hands, cover them with a light layer of soil, and water very sparingly if the soil is moist.

3.4 Transplant red cabbage seedlings

After the seedling has 2 to 3 true leaves and is about 2 to 4 inches tall, it's time to transplant it into the garden. Transplant seedlings on a cloudy day to limit the intense sunlight that causes them to wilt.

Choose a good location in the garden, with shade and less direct light. Red cabbage loves the sun but does not tolerate extreme heat. Also, plant cabbage seedlings 12 to 24 inches apart as they need space to grow.

3.5 Take care of seedlings until mature

Maintain a weed-free environment around red cabbage and promptly remove any yellow or pest-damaged leaves. During fall and winter, ensure the plant remains firmly rooted, and shield it from harsh winds by mounding soil around the trunk when necessary. Avoid letting the plant dry out, as it can cause warping.

In times of limited rainfall, water the plant gently and deeply once a week, providing approximately 10 liters per square meter. Water the soil rather than the leaves in the morning.

When the plants flourish around 4-5 weeks after germination, apply a second balanced fertilizer for added vigor. Gently rake the fertilizer into the soil's surface and water it thoroughly.

4. How to harvest red cabbage

Red cabbage takes about 70 days from transplant to mature and form large heads. At that time, you will see that the cabbage leaves are dark purple, and their heads are firm and hard. Cut the bottom with an iron knife to harvest them and leave the outer leaves and roots in the soil to harvest 3 to 4 smaller heads next season.

If you only want to harvest once, hold the whole stem of the red cabbage with both hands and shake it gently to pull the roots from the bottom up. Then remove the outer leaves leaving only the inner tip. Store your cabbage in the refrigerator and use them within 2 weeks to experience its best flavor. If you want to learn red cabbage recipes, check out our guides here!

5. Conclusion

So, that’s all about how to grow red cabbage from seed. It is everything you need to know from the time of sowing, how to prepare the soil, and how to sow and care for the seedlings to maturity. Follow the steps above for a successful cabbage crop to feed your daily nutrition. Remember to visit TheRike to purchase high-quality seasonal seeds for a high germination rate!