How should I harvest cabbage to avoid damage?
Written by
Liu Xiaohui
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Using good harvesting practices helps maintain high cabbage quality and prolongs storage life. Harvest damage causes bruises on cabbage, resulting in quick spoilage. Whether using hands or tools, proper harvest techniques keep heads intact and ensure they remain fresh. These practices save months' worth of hard work in your garden in minutes.
Tool Preparation
- Sanitize knives with rubbing alcohol before use
- Choose sharp blades for clean cuts
- Disinfect tools between plants to prevent disease spread
Cutting Technique
- Position blade horizontally 1-2 inches above soil
- Make single swift cut through stem
- Angle blade slightly upward to avoid damaging head base
Leaf Retention
- Preserve 2-4 outer wrapper leaves
- These act as natural protective layers
- Trim only damaged or diseased outer leaves immediately
Harvest in the early morning when the temperature is below 70°F. Enhanced cool conditions help maintain crispness and minimize moisture loss. Avoid harvesting before rain events, as moisture invites rot. Be aware of weather forecasts to harvest before the planned weather window. Harvesting in the morning will maintain maximum internal moisture within the product.
Take care of your head, much like an egg, to prevent bruising. Cut the stem and support the base of the head with one hand. Heads should never be thrown into a container. They need to be placed directly into a single-layer basket. Field damage to produce accelerates degradation in storage.
Handle dense plantings with care. Cut stems close to the plant without disrupting neighboring plants. Work from the edges toward the center. If possible, create temporary walkways. Harvested heads need to rest in the shade or in other areas with minimal sunlight exposure immediately. Transfer harvested heads to a cool storage area as soon as possible.
Prepare heads for storage right away! Remove damaged outer leaves only. If harvested warm, cool heads in ice water. Completely air-dry heads before refrigeration. These practices will increase shelf life by weeks.
Read the full article: 5 Signs When to Harvest Cabbage
