When to Plant Cabbage in Canberra, Cold / Highland Guide

Sow August to March. Right now in September you can sow.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Cabbage guide is written for the Cold / Highland zone, which takes in Canberra, Cooma and Bright. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Cabbage

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Cabbage is a cool-season brassica staple available in green, red, savoy, and conical forms. It grows well across all Australian climate zones when planted in the correct season. A heavy feeder that rewards good soil preparation with dense, satisfying heads for slaws, stir-fries, fermenting, and traditional cooking.

Planting Calendar for Cold / Highland

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
S/T S/T T - - - - S S/T S/T S/T S/T

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Cabbage sowing time in Canberra?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Cold / Highland zone right now, Cabbage included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 11.2°C (optimal range: 5–30°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Canberra), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Cabbage in Cold / Highland Australia

When to Plant

October-January (spring-summer). Protect autumn transplants from early frosts. Harvest January-May.

Soil
Rich, firm, well-drained soil with heavy compost and aged manure. Cabbage needs solid soil structure for head formation; loose sandy soils produce loose heads.
pH Range
6.0-7.5
Sunlight
Full sun (6-8 hours minimum). Part shade tolerated in subtropical/tropical zones.
Spacing
50cm apart, 60cm between rows
Watering
Deep, consistent watering 2-3 times per week. Inconsistent watering causes split heads. Drip irrigation ideal. Avoid overhead watering to reduce disease. Reduce water as heads firm up to prevent split

Companion plants: Celery, Dill, Onion, Chamomile, Thyme, Sage

Avoid planting near: Strawberry, Tomato, Other brassicas (disease transfer), Grape

Cold / Highland Growing Tips for Cabbage

Recommended Varieties

  • January King
  • Savoy Perfection
  • Drumhead
  • Winter varieties

Key Challenges

  • Short growing season
  • Hard frosts damage immature heads
  • Slow growth in cold temperatures

Pro Tips

  • Start all seedlings indoors or in greenhouse
  • Savoy types are the most frost-tolerant cabbage; prioritise these
  • Use frost cloth (fleece) to extend the season by 4-6 weeks

Harvesting Cabbage

When ready: Head is firm and solid when squeezed. Outer leaves may begin to yellow or flare outward. Head has reached expected size for variety. Drum-like sound when tapped.

How to harvest: Cut head at base with sharp knife, leaving 4-6 outer wrapper leaves. Leave stump in ground; it may produce small secondary heads. Harvest in cool of morning.

Common Cabbage Pests in Cold / Highland Zones

Cabbage White Butterfly Caterpillars, risk: MODERATE (score: 49/100)

Organic prevention: Cover crops with insect exclusion netting immediately after planting. Companion plant with nasturtium as trap crop. Grow strongly-scented herbs (thyme, sage) nearby. Encourage parasitic wasps.

View all pest alerts →

Where to next

What cabbage costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the cold and highland zone this September: Sweet Corn, Beetroot, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

The pest most likely to find your cabbage: Cabbage White Butterfly.

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Common Questions About Cabbage

When do you plant cabbage in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does cabbage grow all year round in Canberra?

No. In the Cold / Highland zone the planting months are Jan to Mar, Aug to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Cold / Highland zone, Canberra is its reference city.