Direct sow cabbage??

[melco]

I'm in zone 7b. Can I direct sow cabbage for my fall garden? I always start my plants but thought I would love to do it direct sow. What do you guys think?

[krisinmi]

I have no experience with your zone; I'm in 5 (b I think, although some springs its more a, lol). I always direct sew my cabbage. Seems to take a long time for it to make heads, but at least what sprouts grows. In the past I had tried starting it in the house, then transplanting but my seedlings always ended up dying within a couple of weeks of hitting the garden (not all seedlings, mainly my brassicas).

[Callie]

I you can keep the bugs from eating the tiny seedlings, you should be able to direct sow. I always start mine inside just for space considerations. If you're having trouble getting them to survive transplanting, try planting them out after the afternoon sun has lost its heat. Or, place a shade over them. Be sure they are hardened off properly.

[Skandi]

Here I have sown them outside in the garden, cabbages, and broccoli, in a seed bed rather than in final position, but that is just a space issue.