Beira

Family: Brassicaceae Brassica

Rich, tightly layered heads of Beira unfold with a cool, crisp crunch and a clean, sweet brassica flavor that feels fresh and refined.

At maturity, the foliage forms a dense, well-rounded cabbage with a smooth, sturdy texture—ideal for turning into hearty staples and for keeping quality you can count on from garden to pantry. Grow Beira for dependable performance and a satisfying, garden-fresh bite at peak ripeness.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Rosette

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
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)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Beira’s tight layers and cool sweetness make it a cabbage you can treat as both crisp produce and hearty braise material—it stays structured long enough to caramelize at the edges. It also takes fermentation cleanly, turning that gentle brassica bite into a bright, snappy tang instead of a harsh funk.

Best Uses

braise into a slick, tender-savory pot with fat and stock
ferment for quick, tangy slaw or longer kraut-style pickling
shred and sear for cabbage steaks (caramelized edges, juicy centers)
toss raw into a snappy salad that won’t go limp fast

Flavor Profile

cool, clean sweetness crisp, tightly layered crunch gentle brassica bite with a sweet finish holds texture under heat

Kitchen Pairings

butter caraway seeds smoked pork apple cider vinegar white pepper mustard

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Beira leaves wilting or turning yellow, and what can I do about it?

Wilting with yellowing on Beira is often caused by Fusarium or other soil-borne wilts, which move through the roots. Remove and discard affected plants, then do not replant Beira (or other brassicas) in the same bed for several years; solarize the area if possible and improve drainage before replanting. Water at the soil level and avoid wetting foliage to reduce disease spread to nearby plants.

How often should I water Beira during the main growing phase?

During the ~70-day growing period, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for the top 1 inch to stay slightly damp. In typical home gardens this usually means watering 1–2 times per week, but increase to 2–3 times weekly during hot spells, always checking moisture first. If plants are in containers, expect more frequent watering to prevent the root zone from drying out between waterings.

How can I tell when my Beira is ready to harvest?

Beira is generally ready at about 70 days when plants reach full size and the leaves are firm with good color for the variety. Harvest when leaves are mature but not overly tough: pick the largest outer leaves first, and leave the center to keep producing. If you see flowering/seed stalk development, harvest becomes more urgent because leaf quality declines quickly.