Jade Cross

Family: Brassicaceae Brassica

Sweet, nutty sprouts emerge along the sturdy stalk with a jade-green glow that feels almost luminous in the garden.

Jade Cross forms tight, compact heads with a crisp, tender texture—ideal for roasting to bring out deep caramel notes, or for fresh, cool-season use in hearty seasonal dishes and vibrant sauces. Grow this 85-day standout for a dependable harvest window and a refined flavor that turns every stem into a centerpiece of edible beauty.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Upright

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	Jul 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Jade Cross has a more sweetness-and-nut profile than the harsher end of the sprout spectrum, so it roasts up into little browned, caramel-edged bites without turning aggressively bitter. Treat them like a premium small cabbage: get real color, then coat in fat and a hit of acid so every leaf stays crisp-tender through the toss.

Best Uses

high-heat roasting until deeply browned at the edges
shaved or halved sprouts in a warm skillet with butter for fast caramelization
shredded-then-steamed for a glossy, tender stage in bowls and grain salads
roasted sprouts tossed into a creamy mustard or tahini sauce

Flavor Profile

sweet, nutty brassica bite tender-crisp texture with a clean snap carmelly, roasted depth when browned gentle bitterness that plays well with fat and acid

Kitchen Pairings

bacon mustard lemon butter parmesan pecorino

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera (Jade Cross) and how do I manage it?

Watch for cabbage worms (imported cabbageworm/diamondback moth larvae) that chew holes in the leaves; control them early with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) sprayed when larvae are small. Keep plants evenly watered and use floating row cover right after sowing/transplanting to prevent egg-laying, which reduces both caterpillars and leafy fungal issues from wet foliage.

How often should I water Jade Cross during the main growing phase?

From establishment through the bulk of the growing season, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—typically about 1–1.5 inches (2.5–3.8 cm) of water per week depending on rainfall and heat. Check by pushing a finger 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) into the soil; if it feels dry at that depth, water deeply, and avoid letting it swing from dry to saturated to prevent stress.

How can I tell when Jade Cross is ready to harvest?

Harvest at around 85 days when the heads/curds are firm and reach their cultivar size, and the leaves surrounding them look healthy rather than collapsing. Use a knife to cut the plant at the base, and for best quality harvest in cool weather (morning is ideal) rather than after hot, midday sun.