Charleston Wakefield

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Charleston Wakefield to a garden.

Sweetly crisp and richly aromatic, Charleston Wakefield forms tight, elongated heads with a cool, blue-green sheen that feels almost velvety to the eye.

The flavor is mild and cabbage-forward with a clean snap, making it a standout for fresh slaws and hearty braises, while its dense leaves also shine in tangy ferments and pickles. Grow this classic 78-day favorite for dependable structure, excellent garden presence, and a harvest that stays satisfying from first bite to the last jar.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 78 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Charleston Wakefield

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Charleston Wakefield 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 25th	Aug 11th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	Aug 1st – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Aug 1st – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	Aug 5th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Aug 1st – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	Jul 30th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	Jul 25th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	Jul 21st – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	Jul 18th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Jul 12th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	Jul 7th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	Jun 27th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	Jun 18th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	Jun 9th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	May 23rd – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	Apr 28th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 18th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 18th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 18th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 18th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 18th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 18th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 18th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 18th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	78
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

Charleston Wakefield’s mild sweetness and clean snap make it a slaw cabbage that doesn’t go limp the second it meets acid. When heat shows up, the dense leaves turn tender without losing structure—built for braises and ferments that stay punchy through the last forkful.

Best Uses

fresh slaw where the shreds hold a crisp bite under dressing
hot-and-sour braise with a quick reduce for glossy, tender leaves
lacto-fermented cabbage and quick pickles for tight, tangy snap
sheet-pan roast or sauté to drive off bitterness and brown the edges

Flavor Profile

mild, cabbage-forward sweetness clean, snappy crunch sweetly aromatic Brassica character tender when braised; leaf edges stay structured

Kitchen Pairings

mustard vinegar butter bacon garlic black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Brassica oleracea var. capitata (Charleston Wakefield) and what should I do?

A very common problem on headed cabbage is cabbage worms (Imported cabbageworm and/or cabbage looper) that chew holes in leaves and can quickly ruin head quality. Inspect undersides weekly and hand-pick early; for control, use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) sprays and repeat as label directions require, especially after egg-laying activity. If you see pale, irregular spots and persistent wilting, check for clubroot (soil-borne); remove affected plants and avoid planting Brassicaceae in that bed for several years, and adjust soil pH toward neutral (clubroot is worse in acidic soils).

How often should I water Charleston Wakefield during its main head-forming growth?

During the main growing period (roughly once it begins forming a head), keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total from rain and irrigation. Water deeply to reach the root zone, then let the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil dry slightly before watering again to reduce disease pressure like head rots. Avoid letting plants swing from dry to very wet, which can stress plants and contribute to uneven head development.

How can I tell when Charleston Wakefield is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads feel firm and solid when gently squeezed, and the outer leaves look fresh and tightly wrapped—this is typically around 78 days from transplanting (follow your sowing/transplant timing). Use a sharp knife to cut the head at the base, keeping the outer wrapper leaves intact to protect the head. If it’s nearing full firmness but heads are starting to loosen, harvest promptly to prevent quality loss.