Early Flat Dutch

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Crisp, sweet-scented leaves form a compact, flat-round head that feels satisfyingly dense in the hand—an inviting crunch with a clean, cabbage-forward sweetness.

Early Flat Dutch delivers dependable early harvests, producing attractive blue-green foliage that stays tender and flavorful for fresh use and quick skillet-style meals, as well as classic slaws and tangy ferments.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Early Flat Dutch

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	Jun 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
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

Early Flat Dutch is built for the early, hungry window: its tight, flat head gives you aggressive crunch and a clean, lightly sweet cabbage note before the sulfur bite ramps up. Shred it fine or slice thick—this one keeps its structure under vinegar or dairy and doesn’t collapse into watery cabbage funk.

Best Uses

quick skillet sauté with butter and a splash of vinegar to keep it crisp-tender
shredded slaw where the leaves stay structured under creamy dressings
tangy quick-pickles/ferments (works fast without turning mushy)
core-to-leaf braises where the outer leaves soften while the center keeps bite

Flavor Profile

clean cabbage sweetness snappy, dense crunch blue-green leafiness with a mild brassica bite holds vinaigrette and brine well

Kitchen Pairings

caraway mustard (Dijon-style) butter or browned butter bacon or pork belly apples or apple cider vinegar Greek yogurt or crème fraîche

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Brassica oleracea var. capitata (Early Flat Dutch cabbage), and how can I control it?

Cabbage often suffers from clubroot (soil-borne), which causes swollen, clubbed roots and wilting even when soil looks moist. To address it, avoid planting Brassicaceae in the same spot for several years, keep soil pH closer to neutral (lime if your test is low), and remove infected plants early. If you see holes and frass on leaves, treat promptly with row cover to exclude cabbage worms and hand-remove visible eggs/larvae when possible.

How often should I water Early Flat Dutch cabbage during the main growing phase?

During head formation (roughly mid-season), keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—about 1 inch of water per week total, split into 2–3 deeper waterings if it’s hot or windy. Check the bed by feel: the top 1–2 inches should be consistently damp, and you shouldn’t have dry patches that lead to uneven head growth.

How do I tell when Early Flat Dutch cabbage is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 55 days when the head feels firm to the squeeze and the outer leaves look fully developed without splitting. Cut the head at the base with a sharp knife, and aim to harvest before prolonged heat or heavy rain that can cause cracking. If you notice outer leaves loosening and the head feels less dense, harvest right away.