Flat Dutch Giant

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Sink your senses into Flat Dutch Giant’s crisp, cool crunch—an invitingly mild, cabbage-sweet flavor with a satisfyingly firm bite.

At maturity, heads form broad and notably flattened, wrapped in attractive blue-green leaves that hold their shape beautifully in the garden. Ideal for hearty salads, slaws, and braises, this is a dependable choice for gardeners who want a substantial, showy head that performs through the season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 100 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Flat Dutch Giant

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Flat Dutch Giant 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	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	Aug 23rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Aug 23rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	Aug 27th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Aug 23rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	Aug 21st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	Aug 16th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	Aug 12th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	Aug 9th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Aug 3rd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	Jul 29th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	Jul 19th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	Jul 10th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	Jul 1st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	Jun 14th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	May 20th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	100
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)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Flat Dutch Giant is the cabbage you want when you want crunch first—its broad, flattened structure and firm leaves hold up for slaw and wedge roasts without collapsing. When you braise it, it turns tender in a controlled way, not soggy, so it plays nicely with mustardy, vinegary, and fatty partners.

Best Uses

shredded slaw that stays snappy under a creamy dressing
hearty braises where the leaves melt without going mushy
cold salads with lemony vinaigrette and crunchy add-ins
wedges roasted hot until the edges caramelize

Flavor Profile

mild cabbage-sweet flavor cool, crisp crunch tender-under-heat leaf texture clean, slightly vegetal bite

Kitchen Pairings

caraway apple cider vinegar mustard bacon butter caramelized onions

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most common on Brassica oleracea var. capitata (Flat Dutch Giant cabbage), and how do I treat it?

Watch for cabbage worms (imported cabbageworm/diamondback moth) and clubroot. For worms, spray Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) when you first see small holes or tiny green larvae, and reapply after 5–7 days if needed. To reduce clubroot, avoid planting in the same bed for several years, keep soil moisture consistent (not waterlogged), and apply lime according to a soil test to maintain a near-neutral pH.

How often should I water Flat Dutch Giant cabbage during the main head-forming phase?

During head formation (roughly mid-season onward), keep soil evenly moist about 1–1.5 inches per week total, split as needed to prevent drying out completely between waterings. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, then let the top couple inches dry slightly to avoid stagnant, soggy soil that encourages disease. Irregular moisture can lead to stunted heads and increased risk of cracking.

How can I tell when Flat Dutch Giant cabbage is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads feel firm and solid in the center and reach a good size for “giant” types, typically around 100 days from sowing (your exact date depends on transplant time). If you squeeze the head gently, it should resist compression, not feel soft or springy. Leave it a bit longer only if weather stays mild—hard frosts can damage outer leaves even if the core is close to ready.