🌱 How to Grow Red Cabbage from Seeds
Also known as:

• Hindi: लाल बंदगोभी

• Tamil: சிவப்பு முட்டைக்கோஸ்

• Telugu: ఎరుపు క్యాబేజీ

• Malayalam: ചുവപ്പ് കാബേജ്

• Kannada: ಕೆಂಪು ಎಲೆಕೋಸು

• English: Red Cabbage

• Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra

1. 🌤️ Choose the Right Season

• Cool-season crop

• Best time to sow:

  • North India: Sep–Feb

  • South India: Aug–Jan

• Ideal Temperature: 10°C–24°C

2. 🌱 Prepare the Soil

• Soil Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil

• pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0)

• Mix in plenty of compost or well-rotted manure

• Add bone meal or wood ash for strong head formation

3. 🌾 Sowing the Seeds

• Depth: ¼ inch (0.6 cm) deep

• Spacing:

  • In-ground: 12–18 inches between plants, 2 feet between rows

  • Containers: Use large pots (12–15 inch deep) with one plant per pot

• Water gently after sowing

4. 💧 Watering

• Keep soil evenly moist, not soggy

• Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep roots

• Use mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds

5. 🌿 Germination

• Seeds germinate in 6–10 days

• Requires cool, moist conditions

• Thin seedlings after 2–3 weeks to maintain spacing

6. ☀️ Sunlight & Temperature

• Needs 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Grows best in cool temperatures

• Protect from excessive heat or frost

7. 🌼 Fertilization

• Feed with organic compost every 15–20 days

• Use seaweed extract or vermicompost tea during head formation

• Avoid over-fertilization with nitrogen — promotes leaf growth over head development

8. 🛡️ Pest & Disease Control

• Common pests: Cabbage worms, aphids, whiteflies

• Spray with neem oil + soap solution weekly

• Handpick visible worms and caterpillars

• Use netting to protect young plants

9. 🌿 Harvesting

• Ready in 70–90 days from transplanting

• Heads are firm and well-formed when ready

• Cut the head at the base with a sharp knife

• Leave lower leaves and roots for regrowth or compost

10. 🌱 Regrow Tip

• Let one healthy plant bolt (flower)

• Collect seeds once seed pods dry and turn brown

• Store dry seeds in an airtight container for next season

🥬 Health Benefits of Red Cabbage

• Rich in antioxidants (especially anthocyanins)

• Supports heart and brain health

• High in vitamin C, K, and fiber

• Helps reduce inflammation

• Supports immune function and digestion