Farao

Family: Brassicaceae Brassica

Sweet, crisp crunch meets a clean, cabbage-sweet aroma as Farao forms tight, uniform heads with a rich, deep-green glow.

The texture is delightfully dense and snappy, holding its shape beautifully from garden to storage-ready harvest. Grow Farao for dependable, early-season cabbage performance—ideal for fresh salads, slaws, and tangy fermented favorites, as well as hearty braises and robust sauces.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 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 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)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Farao’s tight, dense heads deliver a high crunch-to-water ratio, so shredded cabbage holds its snap in both slaw and quick ferments. Cook it just long enough to soften the edges—then let it meet salty bacon fat or sharp mustard for a clean, sweet-brassica bite that doesn’t collapse.

Best Uses

thin shredded slaw that stays crisp under dressing
quick brine or lacto-fermentation for tangy crunch
hot pan sauté or stir-fry for firm bite
braises where it needs to hold shape and not turn mushy

Flavor Profile

sweet cabbage-snap crisp, dense crunch clean brassica aroma snappy tenderness when cooked

Kitchen Pairings

caraway apple mustard bacon butter ginger

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent and treat clubroot on Brassica oleracea var. capitata (cabbage) like “Farao”?

Clubroot (caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae) shows up as stunted growth and wilting with swollen, malformed roots. Remove and discard affected plants, avoid planting cabbage-family crops in that bed for several years, and keep soil pH on the higher side (lime helps) to make conditions less favorable for the pathogen. If you have a history of clubroot, start with fresh, well-draining soil and avoid waterlogged spots around transplants.

During the main head-forming phase, how often should I water cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) and what soil moisture should I aim for?

From the time heads start forming until harvest (roughly mid-season to the final weeks), keep soil consistently moist but not saturated. Water deeply about 1–2 times per week depending on heat—aim for the top 2–4 inches to stay evenly damp, and reduce watering only if rainfall keeps the bed wet. Uneven moisture can lead to loose heads or splitting, so avoid letting soil fully dry out between waterings.

How can I tell when “Farao” cabbage is ready to harvest at about 60 days?

Harvest when the heads are firm and fully sized, with tightly packed leaves and no significant “give” when you gently press the sides. Timing is usually around 60 days from planting, but check the head firmness first because cool or warm spells can shift the schedule. Cut the head at the base with a sharp knife, ideally before prolonged heat causes the head to soften.