Because broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage plants become big once mature, they must be spaced far apart. But why waste the garden ground between them during their young days?.
At maturity, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage (BCC) plants can span four feet across. (I just measured one cauliflower plant in my yard at four feet three inches wide. ) And they can get almost as tall as a ninja!.
But that doesn’t mean they need to be planted that far apart. There’s no harm in spacing them more closely such that their leaves touch those of neighboring plants. In fact, the farthest I’ve ever planted BCC apart is a bit over two feet.
How closely can they be planted? For most varieties, 1. 5 feet is as crowded as will still give maximum size heads. I’ve planted them as close together as one foot (with more space between the rows), but the plants looked a little stunted that close together.
So you put these little plants into the ground spaced 1. 5 to 2 feet apart, and a lot of sunlight hits the ground in between. That’s not ideal.
Further, if you use sprinkler or drip irrigation, then you’re probably wasting water between the young plants also. For example, I use drip irrigation lines whose emitters are spaced nine inches apart. If I plant my BCC 1. There is an emitter between each plant that waters the ground that doesn’t have roots while the BCC plants are still young. The plants are spaced 5 feet apart.
I can do two things in order to avoid wasting water with this set up. I can water the plants by hand until they are big enough to use the water that the emitters put between them, or I can plant something next to those intermediate emitters between the BCC plants. In a vegetable garden, walking paths already take up space and sun. Let’s not waste even more space, sun, and water.
What to plant between the BCC? Lettuce is an excellent option. It is Farmer Roy’s interplant of choice. Roy’s routine is to plant romaine lettuce between all of his broccoli and cauliflower plants. Both the lettuce and broccoli or cauliflower are planted on the same day. Roy’s brassica and lettuce interplant (under shade cloth) on August 24, 2021.
Broccoli and cauliflower grow best together because they both like it cool, and the lettuce is ready to pick before the broccoli or cauliflower. When the broccoli or cauliflower leaves get big enough to shade the lettuce, the lettuce has a nice head and is ready to be picked. That’s when the broccoli or cauliflower starts to grow and uses the water that was meant for the lettuce through the middle drip emitter (Roy uses drip lines with emitters eight inches apart).
I got great results from interplanting BCC with lettuce earlier this fall in my garden. ‘Graffiti’ cauliflower interplanted with lettuce; (same plants as those all grown up behind the ninja in photo above).
I harvested the lettuce successively over the course of a few weeks as the family needed it. Romaine lettuce grown between broccoli and cabbage plants.
Another couple of complementary crops to place between BCC plants are cilantro and parsley. Just as with the lettuce, you want to plant them at the same time as the BCC. You’ll be able to pick the parsley or cilantro long before the BCC leaves get big enough to shade them. Cabbage interplanted with cilantro; (cages are for temporary rabbit protection).
Once the broad BCC leaves do shade them, you can harvest the whole cilantro or parsley plants. But I like to leave them alone, even though they are in the shade, so they can flower whenever they are ready. Bees, syrphid flies, lady bugs, and other beneficial insects enjoy cilantro and parsley flowers. Some of these insects will eat aphids, which can be a problem for broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage plants. It’s like you’re cultivating natural pest control in between the BCC plants. Cilantro flowers — not in between brassica plants, but elsewhere in my yard.
By putting plants next to each other in this way, our gardens can be so much more productive, balanced, and beautiful than a typical farm. Last week, as I drove through the Salinas Valley, I thought about that. There are huge fields of broccoli, cauliflower, or cabbage. Field of broccoli, and broccoli, and broccoli, near Soledad.
This video from November 24, 2021, two days ago, shows how I spaced and interplanted broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage in my garden:
You might like to read my more general post, “Growing broccoli and cauliflower in Southern California.”
As an avid gardener I’ve grown my fair share of cabbage over the years. And let me tell you, proper spacing is absolutely crucial for getting those big beautiful heads every cabbage grower dreams of. When planting cabbage in a raised bed, the name of the game is giving your plants enough space to spread their leaves and take in sunlight without overcrowding. Follow my spacing guidelines and planting techniques for raised bed cabbage success!
Why Spacing Matters for Growing Cabbage
You may be wondering – why go through the trouble of carefully spacing out cabbage plants? Can’t you just scatter seed everywhere and let the plants duke it out? In theory, yes you can take a more haphazard approach. But keeping the proper space between plants makes a world of difference when it comes to growing healthy, robust cabbages. Here are some key reasons to mind your spacing:
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Promotes Air Circulation: Cabbage leaves tend to overlap and spread. Adequate spacing allows for airflow between the plants, keeping the microclimate drier and deterring moisture-loving diseases.
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Reduces Competition: Less crowded plants don’t have to compete as much for sunlight, nutrients, and water. Even growth and development can be achieved.
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Improves Pest Management: With proper spacing, it’s easier to monitor for pests on individual plants and intervene early before infestations spread.
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Maximizes Yield You want plump cabbage heads not small underdeveloped ones! Giving plants their space ensures they can size up to their full potential.
Cabbage Spacing Guidelines in Raised Beds
When planting in raised beds, following my spacing recommendations will set your cabbage up for an optimal growing environment:
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Between Plants: Space cabbage transplants or seeded spots 12 to 24 inches apart within the row. The exact spacing depends on the mature size of the variety you’re growing. Larger, full size cabbages need the full 24 inches.
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Between Rows Allow 18 to 36 inches between each row of cabbage Wider row spacing is ideal in hotter climates to prevent excessive shade.
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Fertile Soil: Raised beds enable you to fill the framing with rich, loose soil. Cabbage thrives in fertile, well-draining soil amended with compost.
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Adequate Sun: A raised bed helps ensure the cabbage receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for best growth.
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Smaller Varieties: Opt for compact cabbage varieties if your raised bed space is limited. ‘Gonzales’ and ‘Caraflex’ are great choices reaching just 12-18 inches across.
Planting Techniques for Proper Cabbage Spacing
Now that we’ve covered the ideal spacing, let’s discuss techniques for achieving that proper plant distribution in your raised cabbage bed.
Seeding Cabbages for Spacing
I recommend sowing seeds directly in the raised bed based on the final spacing desired. Here are some tips:
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Scatter 3-4 seeds in clusters spaced according to the variety’s mature width. This allows for germination failure.
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Cover the seeds with 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch of fine soil. Cabbage needs light to germinate but protection from drying out.
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Once the seedlings emerge, thin to one plant per cluster. This prevents overcrowding and maintains even spacing.
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Gently disturb the soil around the tiny seedlings to encourage a strong root system. Healthy roots mean hearty cabbage heads!
Transplanting Cabbage Starts
Transplanting seedlings is another excellent approach. Follow these steps for transplant success:
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Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last expected frost. Let them grow to have 3-4 true leaves before hardening off.
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Water seedlings well and wait for cooler temperatures before transplanting to avoid shock.
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Dig holes spaced according to variety mature size. Place one cabbage transplant per hole.
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Firm the soil gently around each plant, water well and provide shade for a few days until established.
Growing Conditions Cabbage Thrives In
In addition to spacing, there are some other environmental factors that allow cabbage to thrive in a raised bed.
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Sunlight: Cabbage needs at least 6 hours of full sun per day. The raised bed helps ensure adequate light exposure.
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Soil Temperature: 75°F is ideal, with a range of 60-80°F for good growth. Use warmer microclimates and season extending techniques if needed.
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pH: Cabbage prefers a soil pH between 6.0-6.8. Test soil and amend if needed to reach the target zone.
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Moisture: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Raised beds drain well but cabbage benefits from ample water.
Avoiding Common Spacing Problems
While cabbage spacing does take some finesse, the effort pays off in the end when you bite into those delicious homegrown heads. Here are some common spacing issues to watch out for:
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Overcrowding: Leaves will overlap and block sunlight penetration to inner leaves, creating weaker heads prone to rot.
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Too Much Space: If plants are too far apart, you lose out on yield. Find the sweet spot based on variety size.
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Spotty Germination: Seeds may fail to emerge, leaving gaps in spacing. Sow small seed clusters and thin for even distribution.
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Root Disturbance: Cabbage has a shallow root system. Be gentle when handling seedlings and avoid damaging roots.
Caring for Cabbage Throughout the Season
Once your cabbage is happily spaced out in its raised bed, it’s time to nurture it through the rest of the growing season:
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Watering: Cabbage needs at least 1 inch of water per week from rain or irrigation. Use drip irrigation to target roots directly.
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Fertilizing: Side dress cabbage with a nitrogen fertilizer when heads start forming. This fuels leafy growth.
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Weed Control: Mulch around cabbage to prevent weeds which compete for nutrients and water. Hand pull any emerging weeds.
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Pest Management: Use floating row covers to keep pests like cabbage worms from reaching plants. Remove at flowering.
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Harvesting: When the head feels dense and firm, use a sharp knife to cut it at the base, keeping outer leaves intact.
Achieving Raised Bed Cabbage Success
When it comes to cabbage cultivation, spacing and care are just as important as choosing the right variety. By following these raised bed spacing guidelines, amending the soil, and tending carefully throughout the season, you can look forward to a bountiful cabbage harvest. Just be sure to leave enough space in your kitchen for all those crunchy coleslaws, tangy sauerkrauts, and delicious roasted cabbage dishes you’ll be making!
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How To Plant Cabbage In A Raised Bed Garden ~ Growing Spring Cabbage
FAQ
How close can I plant cabbage in a raised bed?
Can I plant cabbage 12 inches apart?
What is the best spacing for cabbage?
How far apart should cabbage seeds be planted?
Spacing: I plant my cabbage seeds about half an inch deep and seedlings about 12 to 24 inches apart. Proper spacing is vital for airflow and growth. Water: Right after planting, I give them a generous watering. Cabbages are thirsty plants, requiring 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week.
How much space do cabbage plants need for a raised bed?
When I select cabbage varieties for my raised bed, I always consider the size they’ll grow to and the space I have available. I’ve found that smaller or dwarf cabbage varieties, like ‘Bonsai’ or ‘Gonzales’, are perfect for tighter spaces, only needing about 12 inches between plants.
How often should you plant cabbage?
If you want to plant cabbage in rows, sow a cluster of 2 or 3 seeds every 12 to 24 inches. After the seeds sprout, when seedlings are about 4 to 5 inches tall, thin the seedlings to just one plant every 1 to 2 feet. If using a raised bed or square-foot garden, again sow a cluster of 2 or 3 seeds every 12 inches.
How to grow cabbage in raised beds?
Keeping an eye on the pH balance helps the cabbages absorb nutrients effectively and deters pests and diseases. Cultivating cabbages in raised beds requires specific knowledge of varieties, planting methods, and spacing to ensure healthy growth. I follow these methods to avoid overcrowding and promote strong cabbage heads.
How big does a cabbage plant grow?
Cabbage can grow quite large, with larger varieties reaching up to 24 inches (or more!) across. Smaller varieties stay more compact, closer to 12 inches across. And there are some dwarf varieties of cabbage that stay 8 to 10 inches across. You can grow any variety of cabbage in garden rows or raised beds. So how much space does each plant require?
How many cabbage seedlings should be planted in a square?
Avoid 12 to 18 inches should be available space. One cabbage should be planted in each square; however, this depends on your cultivating type. Cabbage seedlings should be between four and six weeks old if you wish to transplant them. Transplanting should occur when there are 4–5 leaves on each seedling.