Cabbage in Zone 9B — Gulf Coast

Cabbage might not be the flashiest vegetable, but it's a real workhorse in the Gulf Coast garden. A homegrown cabbage, especially after our mild winters, tastes so much sweeter and crisper than anything you'll find at the store. Plus, it's incredibly versatile – from coleslaw to stir-fries, it's a blank canvas for your cooking.

Now, we know our high humidity and sometimes unpredictable weather can be a challenge. But with a little planning, and by taking advantage of our long 319-day growing season, you can absolutely grow beautiful heads of cabbage right here on the Gulf Coast. Timing is key, and we'll get you set up for success.

Starting your cabbage indoors is definitely the way to go here in the Gulf Coast for a spring harvest. You'll want to get those seeds going from late November through mid December. This gives them about 6 weeks to get a good start before transplanting.

Use seed trays or small pots filled with a good seed-starting mix. Keep them warm and give them plenty of light – a grow light works wonders. Make sure to water from the bottom to avoid damping off, which can be a problem with our early spring humidity. This head start avoids our early warmth and gives you stronger plants.

Transplanting your cabbage seedlings outdoors should happen from mid January through mid February. Before you do, though, you'll need to harden them off. This means gradually exposing them to the outdoor elements for about a week.

When you're ready to plant, space them about 12-18 inches apart in a spot that gets plenty of sun. Even though it's winter, we can still get some surprisingly warm days, so be sure to water them well after transplanting to help them settle in.

Cabbage needs consistent moisture, but we've got to be smart about watering here on the Gulf Coast, given our climate. While we get a lot of rain, it's not always consistent, and our summer heat can dry things out quickly.

During the cooler months, check the soil moisture with the "finger test" – stick your finger about 2 inches deep. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, either from rain or irrigation. In the hotter months, you might need to increase that, but be careful! Water at the base of the plant to avoid getting the leaves wet, which can encourage fungal diseases in our humid environment.

Too little water, and your cabbage will struggle. Too much, especially after a dry spell, and the heads can split open – a common problem. If the leaves are yellowing or wilting, it could be a sign of overwatering or underwatering. Mulching around your cabbage plants with pine straw or shredded leaves can help retain moisture and keep the soil temperature consistent.

Here in the Gulf Coast, you can expect to start harvesting your cabbage from late March through mid May. Cabbage is ready to harvest when the head feels firm and solid when you give it a gentle squeeze. It should also be close to the full size for the variety you're growing.

To harvest, use a sharp knife to cut the head off at the base of the plant. Leave the outer leaves intact, and you might even get some smaller side shoots that you can harvest later.

As our first frost approaches around mid- December, harvest any remaining heads that are close to maturity. Even though cabbage is frost-tolerant, a hard freeze can still damage the outer leaves.

Here are some common problems you might run into growing cabbage in the Gulf Coast:

• Cabbage Worms
• What it looks like: Smooth green caterpillars chewing holes in leaves, leaving dark green droppings behind. You'll also see white butterflies fluttering around.
• What causes it: These are the larvae of those white cabbage butterflies. They can go through multiple generations in our long, warm growing season.
• How to fix/prevent it: Bt spray is very effective. You can also use floating row covers to keep the butterflies from laying eggs. Handpicking the caterpillars is an option, too, and interplanting with aromatic herbs like thyme or sage can help deter them.
• Cabbage Loopers
• What it looks like: Similar to cabbage worms, but these caterpillars move in a looping motion. They also chew holes in leaves.
• What causes it: Another type of caterpillar that thrives in our warm climate.
• How to fix/prevent it: Bt spray works well for these, too. Handpicking is also an option, especially if you catch them early.
• Splitting
• What it looks like: The cabbage head cracks open.
• What causes it: Inconsistent watering. A sudden heavy watering after a dry spell is the most common culprit.
• How to fix/prevent it: Consistent watering is key. Mulching helps to retain moisture. If a heavy rain is expected after a dry period, try to harvest any nearly mature heads beforehand.
• Clubroot
• What it looks like: Stunted growth, wilting in the afternoon heat, and yellowing leaves. If you dig up the plant, the roots will be swollen, distorted, and club-shaped.
• What causes it: A soil-borne pathogen that can persist in the soil for years. It thrives in acidic, wet soil.
• How to fix/prevent it: Raise the soil pH to 7.0-7.2 with lime. Improve drainage. Rotate your brassicas on a 7-year cycle. Remove and destroy infected plants (don't compost them!). Start your transplants in a sterile mix.

Gulf Coast Specific Challenges: Our high humidity and wet-year-round rainfall create the perfect environment for fungal diseases. Make sure to provide good air circulation around your plants and avoid overhead watering whenever possible. Keep a close eye on your plants and address any problems early to prevent them from spreading.

Companion planting can really help your cabbage thrive here in the Gulf Coast. Green beans are great because they fix nitrogen in the soil, which cabbage loves. Celery can help deter cabbage white butterflies. Onions and potatoes can also help to repel pests. Dill attracts beneficial insects that prey on cabbage worms.

Avoid planting cabbage near tomatoes, strawberries, or peppers. Tomatoes and peppers compete for the same nutrients, and strawberries are susceptible to some of the same diseases as cabbage.