leafy · transplant · advanced
Cabbage: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating cabbage a few times a week needs about 1 plants in ~2 sq ft, worth about $4 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$1.20/lb retail, an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 1 | ~2 sq ft | ~2 | ~$4 |
| 2 people | 1 | ~2 sq ft | ~2 | ~$4 |
| 4 people | 1 | ~2 sq ft | ~2 | ~$4 |
| 6 people | 2 | ~4 sq ft | ~3 | ~$7 |
Spacing
12" in row · 24" between rows
Sow depth
0.5"
Days to harvest
65 from transplant (75 from seed)
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Jun 1 – Jul 16 |
| Zone 4 | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Jun 11 – Jul 26 |
| Zone 5 | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Jun 21 – Aug 5 |
| Zone 6 | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Jul 1 – Aug 15 |
| Zone 7 | Feb 12 – Mar 12 | Jul 11 – Aug 25 |
| Zone 8 | Feb 1 – Mar 1 | Aug 1 – Sep 15 |
| Zone 9 | Dec 30 – Jan 27 | Aug 21 – Oct 5 |
| Zone 10 | Dec 10 – Jan 7 | Aug 31 – Oct 15 |
Know when it's time to plant
Give us your ZIP and we'll email you a planting checklist for your exact frost dates, this month's list right now, then once a month when sow windows open.
One email a month, only when there's something to plant. Unsubscribe anytime.
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Ready to pick when
Heads firm and hard when squeezed with both hands. Size varies; solidity is the signal.
Don't wait: Overmature heads split, especially after heavy rain, twist the plant a quarter turn to slow it if you can't cut yet.
Yield
About 3 heads per plant over ~1 productive weeks (~3 lb).
Watch for
Cabbage worms & loopers · Aphids · Flea beetles · Black rot · Cabbage root maggot, the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Neighbors
Plays well with beet. Keep away from tomato.
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
25 kcal · 2.5 g fiber · 36.6 mg vitamin C · 170 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code, not just your zone, in about 60 seconds.
Cabbage keeps for months in cool storage. See how much to grow and store to feed your household, and how long it keeps.
Cabbage planting questions
How many cabbage plants do I need per person?+
For steady eating (about 3 servings a week), plan on roughly 1 plant per person. A family of 4 needs about 1 plants, which takes around 2 sq ft of bed space.
How much space does cabbage need?+
Space plants 12" apart in the row with 24" between rows. Sow 0.5" deep. Start indoors, transplant out.
When should I plant cabbage?+
It depends on your frost dates. Spring sowing is keyed to your last spring frost. It also has a fall window keyed to your first fall frost. The zone table on this page shows typical windows; enter your ZIP in the free planner for dates tuned to your exact location, not just your zone.
Is growing cabbage worth it?+
At about $1.20/lb retail and ~3 lb per plant, a family-of-4 planting is worth about $4 a year at the store. Prices vary by region and season, so treat it as an estimate.