Early Jersey Wakefield

Family: Brassicaceae Brassica

Sweetly crisp and cool to the senses, Early Jersey Wakefield forms compact, medium-sized heads with a tender, pale-green interior and a gently sweet, cabbage-forward flavor.

The leaves are finely textured and tightly layered, creating a satisfying crunch that holds beautifully from garden to table. Ideal for early-season harvests, it shines in fresh salads, slaws, and quick pickling, and it also roasts up with a mellow, comforting sweetness.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Early Jersey Wakefield

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 18th
Harvest Begins	Jun 17th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Early Jersey Wakefield is built for the moment when you want cabbage flavor without harshness—compact heads that shred clean and crunch like they mean it. Slice it thin for slaw or pickle it quickly; it keeps a pleasant snap while cooking shifts the sweetness from raw bite into mellow, roasty comfort.

Best Uses

thin-sliced coleslaw that stays crisp under a creamy or vinaigrette-based dressing
quick pickling for tangy, still-crunchy cabbage bites
shredded into fresh salads for a cool, clean crunch
roasting or pan-searing until edges caramelize and the center goes pleasantly sweet

Flavor Profile

sweet, cabbage-forward bite finely textured, snappy crunch tender pale-green interior that turns mellow when cooked

Kitchen Pairings

caraway apple mustard butter bacon black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Brassica oleracea var. capitata (Early Jersey Wakefield cabbage), and how do I control it?

Cabbage worms (imported cabbageworm/diamondback moth larvae) are a frequent problem, leaving ragged holes in leaves. Cover seedlings with floating row cover as soon as you transplant and keep it on until harvest; if you see active caterpillars, spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and reapply as directed, especially after warm, dry stretches. Watch for clubroot too (stunted plants with swollen roots); remove affected plants and avoid planting brassicas in the same bed for several years, and keep soil pH on the higher side (around 7) for this crop.

How often should I water Early Jersey Wakefield cabbage during peak growth, and what soil moisture target should I maintain?

During the main head-forming phase (roughly weeks 4–8 after transplant), keep the soil evenly moist so the head develops without cracking or thin leaves. Water deeply about 1–2 times per week to wet the root zone, then adjust so the top 1 inch of soil doesn’t dry out completely between waterings. In hot spells, you may need more frequent watering—always water at the base and avoid splashing leaves to reduce disease pressure.

How can I tell when Early Jersey Wakefield cabbage is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads are firm and reach a typical Early Jersey size for your spacing, usually around 60 days to maturity. Press the head gently—if it feels dense and doesn’t compress easily with a light squeeze, it’s ready. Avoid waiting too long after firmness is reached, because prolonged maturity can lead to splitting at the head base.