Alcosa

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Crisp and richly green at maturity, Alcosa forms a tightly layered head that feels cool and substantial in the hand—dense enough to promise satisfying crunch.

The leaves are tender yet sturdy, with a smooth, slightly sweet character that shines in fresh salads and quick sautéed dishes, and it also holds beautifully for classic cabbage preparations. Grow Alcosa for a dependable, 75-day harvest that brings garden-grown texture and color to every plate.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Alcosa Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 18th	Aug 1st – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jul 22nd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jul 22nd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 12th	Jul 26th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jul 22nd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 6th	Jul 20th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 1st	Jul 15th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	Apr 27th	Jul 11th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	Apr 24th	Jul 8th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 18th	Jul 2nd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 13th	Jun 27th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 3rd	Jun 17th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Mar 25th	Jun 8th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 16th	May 30th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Feb 27th	May 13th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 2nd	Apr 18th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Alcosa’s tightly layered head gives you a crunch that doesn’t immediately collapse, so it holds up in slaws and gets especially rewarding when heat coaxes out sweet, roasted edges. It’s mild enough for fresh work, but sturdy enough to braise into cabbage rolls without turning wet or stringy.

Best Uses

thin-slice slaw that stays snappy under a vinegar-based dressing
quick sauté or stir-fry where the leaves retain structure
braise or roast wedges for caramelized edges and sweet steam-softened layers
classic cabbage rolls where the leaves need to stay pliable without turning mushy

Flavor Profile

cool, crisp crunch slightly sweet cabbage leaf tender-but-sturdy layered texture clean, green finish with a mild brassica bite

Kitchen Pairings

caraway apple cider vinegar garlic butter smoked sausage mustard

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Brassica oleracea var. capitata (cabbage) and how do I treat it at home?

Watch for cabbage worms (imported cabbageworm/diamondback) and aphids, which chew leaves and stunt head formation. Inspect undersides weekly and control early with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for caterpillars and a strong water blast or insecticidal soap for aphids; remove heavily infested leaves and keep the bed free of weeds. If you see black rot-like browning of leaf veins or a foul odor, discard affected plants and avoid re-planting brassicas in the same spot for several seasons.

How often should I water Brassica oleracea var. capitata during head formation?

During the main growing phase (when heads begin to form), keep soil consistently evenly moist—about 1–1.5 inches of water per week total, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, and avoid letting soil swing dry then wet, which can lead to loose heads and stress. Mulch around plants to reduce moisture fluctuations, especially in full sun.

How can I tell when my cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads are firm to the touch and have reached a good full size for your spacing, typically around 75 days from sowing/transplanting depending on your schedule. The outer leaves should look fresh and the head should feel heavy and tight; if the head starts to loosen or show signs of early flowering, harvest immediately. Cut the head at the base with a sharp knife, leaving a few outer leaves to protect the head.