Cabbage is a cool-season vegetable that flourishes in mild temperatures, making it a perfect fit for Florida’s unique winter climate. Successful cultivation depends entirely on timing the planting to avoid the intense heat of late spring and summer, which causes the heads to bolt or split. Florida’s distinctive sub-tropical conditions mean that gardening practices must be adapted from those used in cooler parts of the country. The state’s diverse climate zones require a geographically specific approach to ensure a harvest before the damaging heat arrives.
Planting Calendar Based on Florida Climate Zones
Florida’s long, hot growing season necessitates a segmented approach to planting, dividing the state into three primary climate zones to determine the proper timing. Planting must be scheduled so that the crop matures during the mildest months, generally between late fall and early spring. The cabbage planting window is longest in North Florida and progressively shortens as one moves south.
North Florida
In North Florida, which includes all areas north of State Road 40, the optimal time to transplant cabbage seedlings begins in August and continues through February. This extended window allows for successive planting, meaning a gardener can plant new batches every few weeks for a continuous harvest.
Central Florida
Central Florida, spanning the region between State Roads 40 and 70, offers a substantial planting season, beginning in September and extending through February. Gardeners in this zone must ensure that later plantings are of varieties with shorter maturity dates to avoid warmer weather in late spring.
South Florida
The most constrained period for transplanting is in South Florida, encompassing everything below State Road 70, where the season runs from September through January. The limited window is a direct response to the earlier arrival and prolonged duration of high temperatures, which can quickly ruin a late-maturing crop.
Site Selection and Soil Requirements
Cabbage requires a location that receives full sun, meaning at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. The soil preparation is a foundational step, as this vegetable is a heavy feeder that needs rich, fertile ground to form dense heads. The ideal soil should be well-drained and heavily amended with organic matter, such as compost or aged manure, to help retain consistent moisture and nutrients. Cabbage thrives in a slightly acidic to neutral pH range, specifically between 6.0 and 6.8. If the soil pH is too low, agricultural limestone or dolomite should be incorporated prior to planting to raise it into the proper range.
While starting from seed is possible, most Florida gardeners use transplants, as direct seeding into sandy Florida soils often results in poor germination. Transplants are typically set in the garden when they are about four to six weeks old. Proper spacing is necessary for head development, with plants needing 9 to 16 inches of space between them in rows spaced 24 inches apart.
Florida-adapted varieties are recommended to handle the state’s conditions, including popular commercial types like ‘Bravo’ and ‘Bronco,’ as well as garden favorites such as ‘Copenhagen Market.’ Selecting a variety that matures quickly is particularly helpful for late-season planting in Central and South Florida.
Ongoing Care and Pest Management
Consistent watering is necessary for cabbage, which requires approximately one inch of water per week, delivered evenly to prevent the heads from splitting as they mature. Watering should be done in the early morning to allow the foliage to dry before nightfall, a practice that helps prevent the development of common fungal diseases like black rot, which can thrive in Florida’s high humidity.
As a crop with high nutrient demands, cabbage benefits from a consistent fertilization schedule, particularly needing nitrogen and potassium. A balanced fertilizer can be applied at planting, followed by side dressings of a high-nitrogen formulation every few weeks as the plant grows its outer leaves and begins to form a head. Soil testing helps determine the precise nutrient requirements.
Florida’s mild climate and year-round insect activity mean that pest management is an ongoing challenge for cabbage growers. The most damaging insects are the caterpillar pests, including the cabbage looper, the imported cabbageworm, and the diamondback moth. These insects chew holes in the leaves and bore into the developing heads, causing significant damage.
Environmentally friendly control methods are often the first line of defense, with floating row covers providing a physical barrier to prevent the adult moths and butterflies from laying eggs. For active infestations, a biological insecticide containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is effective, as it targets only the feeding caterpillars without harming beneficial insects. Another option is the reduced-risk insecticide Spinosad, which targets a wide range of common caterpillar pests. Monitoring the plants frequently is a reliable practice for catching pest issues early.