Gardening is often about problem solving. Here are a few potential problems you might find with your cabbage and how to solve them. You can learn more on the How to Grow Cabbage page of the Bonnie Plants website.
Cracking and Splitting
If you leave your cabbage in the garden for a while after the head is formed and your garden gets lots of rain, the head may crack or split. If this happens, an adult should cut the head as soon as possible.
Holes in the Leaves
Something is eating your cabbage. If you see moths flying around your cabbage, look for cabbage worms on or around the plant. The moths come from these worms, which may eat your cabbage. Kids should remove any worms with an adult’s help.
Wilted and Yellow Leaves
Clubroot is a common disease that affects cabbages. The most obvious symptoms are yellowing, wilting leaves. Avoid this problem by keeping your plant healthy and your garden clean. Also, don’t plant cabbages or other cole crops in the same spot year after year.
Bolting and Flowering
If your cabbage send up a flower stalk instead of forming a head, it is bolting. This happens when the plant goes dormant during a long cold spell, then goes to seed when the weather heats back up. If this happens, a head won’t form. Harvest your cabbage soon after bolting if you want to use the leaves. If you leave it too long, the leaves will taste bitter.