The beginning of it all...

  • Why giant cabbages?

    I started growing giant cabbages in 2024 on a side quest to enter my cabbage into the Alaska State Fair.

    I shared about my quest on social media, and my 16.4 pound last place cabbage went viral. It amassed 20+ million views across multiple platforms and even landed me a feature in The Washington Post. Watch the video for yourself below!

You need to know

  • These cabbages can get BIG

    Especially in Alaska. But no worries if you are in another state, they will still grow! These seeds are a specific species of cabbage called the OS Cross. They were specially bred to grow large and in charge. These are the same seeds state fair competitors use to grow their massive cabbages. If done right, your cabbage could weigh up to 70 lbs.

  • Yes you can eat them

    And you should! Not only can you eat them, but they are sweeter and more watery than your typical garden cabbage. We served our giant cabbages at our wedding in 2025.

  • You don't need to be a pro

    I'm not a pro, and I still grew a 16 pound cabbage my first try! With just a pot, a sunny spot in my backyard, a little miracle grow, and consistent watering, you could have a cabbage in 3 to 4 months from planting. Yes, they grow that fast.

  • Keep reading for all of my growing advice

    I spent hours making this secret webpage... so please read to the end for all of my cabbage growing tips and tricks. I want to set you up for success. Bookmark this page if you want to reference it as your cabbage grows.

Need some decision help?

These are your seeds

If 4 seeds aren't enough (or there's a seed sprouting catastrophe) You can order more here.

Growing Tips 🌱

Planting

Cabbage grows best in Alaska's cool climate, so if you live somewhere hot and humid it may be best to plant in the cooler months.

  • Ideally cabbage seeds are started indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost
  • Fill a container that has drainage holes with potting soil
  • Place in potting soil no deeper than 1/8" or 3mm deep
  • Water well and keep moist until seedlings emerge (5-14 days) Be patient!
  • I use a spray bottle to mist soil every day until seedlings are 1 to 2 inches tall

Transplanting + Hardening off

  • When seedlings are 1 to 2 inches tall I give them they're own containers and place them in a sunny window, continuing to water them every day
  • When plants have 4 to 5 leaves and are a few inches tall you can start hardening them off
  • Hardening off means introducing them to the outside garden slowly. Take them outside during the day, but inside at night so it doesn't shock them. You want the temperatures at night to be consistently above 55 F degrees (12 C) Do this for a few days
  • When ready to transplant to the garden make sure to give your cabbage plenty of space to grow. 46-60" ( 1.2 - 1.5 m.)
  • Cabbages need nutrient dense soil So make sure your soil is fertile
  • I grow mine in a 20 gallon pot, but the bigger the better. Planting in the ground is fine too if you can keep pests away

Watering + Feeding

  • Once your cabbage is planted, it is best to water it every day
  • Feeding your cabbage is just as important. I use Miracle Gro singles fertilizer once a week and just mix it in with the water.
  • When your cabbage forms a head and starts to grow rapidly, it can drink up to a gallon of water a day.
  • If consistent with watering, feeding, and sunshine; your cabbage should be ready to harvest in 3-5 months.

Harvesting

  • For my Alaskan friends, if you plant your cabbage outside in May, it should be ready to harvest by late August/September
  • If you're anywhere else, your guess is as good as mine!
  • The best eating cabbages are around 10 lbs
  • If you're going for size, let it grow!
  • Cut cabbage at the trunk using garden shears, a serrated knife, or a hand saw
  • Again, all cabbage is good to eat
  • Get creative with your cabbage recipes and be sure to send me a picture via email or instagram of your giant cabbages!

Additional resources

I learned everything I know from Steve Brown (who sadly passed in 2025). He created this guide for growing giant cabbages that I will link here.

Steve Brown's Guide

Harvesting video

Photo Gallery 🌱