Kalibos

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Kalibos to a garden.

Sink your senses into Kalibos’ richly hued heads—an arresting deep burgundy that deepens toward the center, with a crisp, tightly layered texture that holds its shape beautifully.

Expect a sweet, cabbage-forward flavor with a clean snap and tender bite, ideal for bold color in salads and slaws, as well as vibrant braises and tangy ferments. Grow Kalibos for a showpiece red cabbage that stays attractive in the garden through the full 75 days to maturity, rewarding you with dependable, uniform heads and striking color from harvest to storage.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Kalibos 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	Apr 27th	May 18th	Aug 1st – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jul 22nd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jul 22nd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 12th	Jul 26th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jul 22nd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 6th	Jul 20th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 1st	Jul 15th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	Apr 27th	Jul 11th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	Apr 24th	Jul 8th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 18th	Jul 2nd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 13th	Jun 27th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 3rd	Jun 17th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Mar 25th	Jun 8th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 16th	May 30th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Feb 27th	May 13th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 2nd	Apr 18th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Kalibos is built for contrast: tight, layered leaves that shred clean and keep that snap under sharp vinegar, then soften evenly when braised. The sweet, lightly peppery edge makes it especially good against fatty meats and pungent mustard.

Best Uses

shredded slaw with a sharp vinegar dressing (stays crunchy, doesn’t go limp fast)
hot or cold red cabbage braise—hold the shape for spoon-tender wedges
quick-pickled cabbage for tangy snacking and tacos
layered sauerkraut/ferment where it keeps a crisp texture and bright color

Flavor Profile

sweet, cabbage-forward flavor tight, crisp snap with a tender bite clean, lightly peppery brassica finish burgundy-leaning flavor that stays vivid when cooked

Kitchen Pairings

apple cider vinegar caraway smoked pork duck fat or goose fat mustard feta

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common disease or pest problem for Brassica oleracea var. capitata (Kalibos), and how do I treat it?

Cabbage worm and other caterpillars commonly chew Kalibos leaves, especially as heads start to form. Hand-pick early and spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) when you first see small larvae; also use a fine row cover over transplants to prevent egg-laying. If you notice black, greasy spots or yellowing with sooty growth, remove affected leaves immediately and improve airflow to reduce moisture on foliage.

How often should I water Kalibos during the main growing phase to keep heads developing well?

During head formation (roughly mid-season through maturity), keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged, aiming for about 1 inch of water per week total from rain and irrigation. Water deeply 1–2 times per week so moisture reaches the root zone, and avoid frequent light sprinkling that leaves foliage wet and encourages leaf disease. If the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, water—if it stays wet or squishes when pressed, back off.

How can I tell when Kalibos is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads are firm and well-formed for the size you expect, usually around 75 days from transplanting (or near the package timeline). Use a gentle squeeze test—if it feels solid and doesn’t depress easily, it’s ready. Cut the head with a sharp knife, leaving a short outer stem; you can often remove outer leaves and let remaining plants continue growing for a later flush.