The #1 mid-late red cabbage. The heads are medium-size and dense with a uniform high-round shape and good wrapper leaves. Good field-holding ability.
Avg. weight: 3 1/2 lb.
GROWING INFORMATION
CULTURE: Cabbage as well as cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and related brassicas
are heavy feeders. They require fertile soils in a pH range of 6.5-7.5, supplied with consistent irrigation throughout the growing period.
EARLY SPRING CROP: Use early and midseason varieties. Sow 2 seeds per cell in 50- or 72-cell plug flats, 3-4 seeds/in. in 20-row flats, or in outdoor beds 1/4" deep. Seedlings should be ready to transplant in 4-6 weeks. If possible, keep soil temperature over 75°F (24°C) until germination, then reduce air temperature to about 60°F (16°C). Transplant outdoors, 4-6 weeks after sowing, 12-18" apart in rows 18-36" apart. Cabbage prefers cooler growing temperatures, between 55-75°F (13-24°C), optimum being 60-70°F (16-21°C), but will produce good crops under warmer, summer conditions
FALL CROP: Use midseason and storage varieties. Start seedlings as above in May and transplant to the garden in June-July. To ensure mature heads, seed the crop early in areas where heavy freezes occur early in fall
WINTER CROP:Successful cabbage crops can be grown where winters are mild (temperatures rarely below 32°F/0°C). Transplants can be set out from September to February in these regions
DIRECT SEEDING:Sow 3-4 seeds 12" apart, 1/2" deep, rows 24-36" apart, thinning to one plant in each group
SPLITTING:Early varieties may split or burst at maturity or from rapid new growth if rain or heavy irrigation follows a dry spell. Splitting may be partially avoided by slowing a plant's growth. To accomplish this, cultivate close to plants to sever some of the root system, or by slightly twisting the plant
DISEASES: Adhere strictly to a preventive program including: (1) long crop rotations with non-brassica crops, (2) clean starting mixes and outdoor seedbeds, and (3) strict sanitation practices.
INSECT PESTS: Repel flea beetles and root maggots on young seedlings by covering with floating row covers from day of planting. Treat flea beetles with insecticides such as pyrethrin or azadirachtin if heavy pressure is observed. For cabbage worms and loopers, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Cutworm prevention: Cultivate soil 2-4weeks before planting to work in cover crops and destroy weeds
HARVEST AND STORAGE: Relatively young heads (still green and actively growing) store best. Ideal conditions are 32°F (0°C), at 95-98% relative humidity, with good air circulation. Store only disease-free heads
DAYS TO MATURITY: From cool weather, spring transplanting. Subtract 10-14 days for late spring or early summer, warm weather transplanting. Add about 14 days for direct seeding
SIZED SEEDS: "Sized" seeds have been sorted so they are roughly the same size. This consistency allows for more accurate spacing with mechanical seeders and more even germination. Cabbage seeds are sized, except when noted in the product description