Farao

Family: Brassicaceae Brassica

Planting Schedule

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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

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

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.