Cabbage is a cool-season vegetable, but many gardeners prefer to bypass the delicate seed-starting phase. Purchasing ready-to-plant cabbage starts, known as transplants, provides an immediate head start. This helps ensure the plants mature before the summer heat arrives, which is beneficial for gardeners aiming for a spring crop. Finding high-quality transplants requires knowing where to look and what physical attributes define a healthy plant.
Local Retailers and Nurseries
Local retail outlets are the most immediate option for acquiring cabbage plants, offering a range of quality and variety. Big-box home improvement stores carry mass-produced seedlings, but their variety selection is typically limited, and the plants are sometimes grown under less-than-optimal conditions.
Local independent garden centers and dedicated nurseries generally provide a higher quality product and more specialized expertise. These businesses often source plants from regional growers, meaning the varieties are better adapted to the specific climate and soil conditions. Staff can also offer tailored advice on ideal planting times based on local frost schedules.
For truly unique or heirloom varieties, farmers’ markets and small roadside stands are excellent seasonal sources. These growers often cultivate smaller batches of unique cabbages, such as crinkly-leafed Savoy or specialized Asian varieties.
Online Nurseries and Specialty Suppliers
When local options do not offer the desired variety, mail-order nurseries and specialty seed suppliers provide access to an extensive catalog. These online sources are useful for finding rare heirloom types or specific disease-resistant hybrids unavailable locally. Reputable suppliers utilize specialized packaging to ensure the plants arrive intact and ready for transplanting.
Online ordering requires planning, as plants must be ordered well in advance to meet the optimal seasonal shipping window. Upon arrival, the transplants need a period of “hardening off.” This involves gradually acclimating them to outdoor sun, wind, and temperature fluctuations before planting to prevent shock.
Essential Checklist for Healthy Transplants
A thorough physical inspection of the cabbage transplant is necessary for successful establishment. The stem should be sturdy and thick; thin, “leggy” stems indicate inadequate light during initial growth. Plants four to six inches tall with a compact, robust structure are generally ideal.
Gently slide the plant out of its container to inspect the root ball. It should be intact and filled with white, fibrous roots. Avoid plants where the roots are brown or tightly circling the container, as this indicates they are pot-bound, which can inhibit proper growth once planted.
The foliage should be a deep, vibrant green, free of yellowing or discoloration that signals nutrient deficiencies or disease. Inspect the undersides of the leaves for signs of pests, such as tiny holes, eggs, or visible insects.
It is important to select plants without an already-forming flower stalk or small head, which indicates premature “bolting.” Bolting is often triggered by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures (35°F and 50°F). A bolted plant shifts its energy toward seed production and will likely produce a poor-quality head or none at all.
Understanding Seasonal Availability
Cabbage is a cold-tolerant, cool-season crop, and its availability is dictated by the ideal regional planting windows (45°F to 75°F). The spring planting season begins when the soil can be worked, with transplants typically available two to four weeks before the last expected spring frost date. This timing allows the plant to establish itself and mature before summer heat causes bolting or bitter flavor.
The second availability window is for a fall harvest, which is often the most successful crop due to cooling temperatures and lower pest pressure. Transplants for a fall harvest are typically available in mid-to-late summer, meant to be set out approximately eight to twelve weeks before the first expected fall frost. Gardeners must know their local frost dates for proper timing.