Winter cabbage stands in the ground through the hardest frosts of the year, getting sweeter rather than spoiling as the cold sets in.
Winter cabbage is planted in early summer but takes until autumn and winter to reach a usable size, standing in the ground through frost rather than being lifted and stored. Frost tends to improve rather than damage the flavour, so there’s no rush to harvest it all at once.
Sowing & growing calendar
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | Sow in April | Sow in May | ||||||||||
| Plant | Plant in June | Plant in July | ||||||||||
| Harvest | Harvest in January | Harvest in February | Harvest in November | Harvest in December | ||||||||
| Protect | Protect in January | Protect in February | Protect in October | Protect in November | Protect in December |
Care details
- Sow April – May
Sow indoors or in modules for transplanting.
- Plant June – July
Plant out into their final position, allowing plenty of room to bulk up.
- Protect October – February
Net against pigeons through autumn and winter.
- Harvest November – February
Cut as needed through winter — hardy varieties are happy left standing until you want them.
Growing tips & common problems
- Choose a genuinely hardy winter variety rather than leaving a summer type in too long — they're bred differently to withstand frost.
- Plant firmly, as with all cabbages, so the roots can anchor a head that may stand for months.
- Net against pigeons through winter; with little else around, a standing cabbage crop is an easy target for hungry birds.
Grows well with
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