Red Acre Cabbage Seeds

This purple, highly nutritious cabbage has a ball-shaped head that weighs 4 to 5 pounds. Many love this variety for delicious sauerkraut or as an alternative to Napa cabbage in Kimchi.

Planting by Zones

Zones 9-10

• Cabbage is a cool season crop for Zones 9 and 10. It should be started from seed in the fall and transplanted out. Cabbage needs a consistent supply of moisture to be happy. Irrigating the crop regularly in Zones 9 and 10 is critical to a happy harvest.

Zones 2-8

• Seeds can be started in summer to be planted out as a fall crop. Make sure you note the days to maturity and guarantee that your crop will mature before a hard freeze. In areas that stay above 32°F, seeds can be started in the fall and transplanted out to overwinter.

Choosing Cabbage Varieties

• Cabbage varieties for southern growers are very different than that of other regions. For growing in a warm region, your cabbage varieties should be heat tolerant. Our varieties are specifically chosen for southern growers. While they can grow nicely in northern areas too, we focus on qualities that will produce nicely in Zones 9 and 10.

Planting Cabbage Seeds

• Cabbage seeds are best planted in starter pots and transplanted out.
• If you are starting the seeds for a fall planting in Zones 9 and 10, you will want to start your seeds in a cool environment. This can be indoors, under the shade of a tree, in a cooled greenhouse, or in a shade house. Cabbage transplants will not thrive in high temperatures. We recommend you find the coolest area of your garden and construct a temporary shade house using ourshade cloth. This will keep your transplants healthy until it is cool enough to transplant them out.
• When planting your cabbage seeds, plant them on top of thoroughly moistened high-quality seed starting soil. Cover the seeds with 1/4″ of finely sifted soil.
• Once your seedlings have germinated and have a set of true leaves you will need to regularly fertilize with an organic liquid fertilizer to ensure happy plants.
• Transplant out cabbage plants when they are about 5-6″ tall. Cabbage should be planted in a full sun location with fertile and well-draining soils. It is a good practice to incorporate compost and a granular fertilizer into the soil before you plant. Cabbages are heavy feeders.
• Space plants at least 24″ apart.

Growing Cabbage

• Growing cabbage in warm climates can be difficult. Cabbages thrive in a cool, moist environment. Products like shade cloth and row cover can help your cabbage to thrive.

Succession Planting Cabbage

• For a steady flow of cabbage, we strongly suggest that you succession plant at 4-week intervals so that you always have a fresh cabbage to harvest.

Growing Cabbage in Containers

• Cabbage can be grown in a container but they need adequate space. If you are planting cabbage in containers, make sure your container is at least 20″ deep. Keep in mind containers will dry out faster because they have more surface area and less soil to hold onto moisture. Mulch heavily on the top of the soil to help regulate soil moisture.

Harvesting Cabbage

• Cabbage heads can be harvested at any desirable size. A sharp knife can be used to cut the main head.

Southern California Pro-tips

• In areas of Zones 9 and 10, cabbage can be a difficult crop. Make sure you grow them in the cool season and protect small seedlings from high temperatures and lack of moisture.
• Mulch heavily around cabbage plants to ensure the soil does not dry out or heat up too much.
• During our hottest months of August, September, and October, plants can suffer from the heat. During this time using shade cloth can help protect the plants from extreme heat.

Companion Flowers/Crops

• Cabbage plants look beautiful when they are interplanted with companion flowers that help with destructive insects. We recommend you plant alyssum, nasturtium, and poppies around your cabbage for a beautiful and bountiful garden.

Additional Learning Resources

• New to starting crops from seeds? Please watch our Seed Starting Presentation to learn the basics!
• Learn about growing all our crops on ourYouTube page!
• Having pest issues? Check out in-depth information for pests that can be an issue to cabbage at the UC Integrated Pest Management site.

Looking for a cabbage you can grow into the warmer months of the spring and early summer? Try our All Season Cabbage.