Late Flat Dutch

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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A slow, steady beauty for the patient gardener—Late Flat Dutch forms striking, flattened heads with a cool, blue-green sheen that feels crisp and substantial at first touch.

The leaves are finely textured and tightly layered, delivering a sweet, cabbage-forward flavor that shines in hearty preparations and shines even more when used fresh for bold, crunchy salads. Grow it for dependable late-season harvests and a satisfying, firm bite that holds its character through storage.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 95 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Late Flat Dutch

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Late Flat Dutch 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 25th	Aug 28th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	Aug 18th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Aug 18th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	Aug 22nd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Aug 18th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	Aug 16th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	Aug 11th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	Aug 7th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	Aug 4th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Jul 29th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	Jul 24th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	Jul 14th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	Jul 5th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	Jun 26th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	Jun 9th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	May 15th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 4th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 4th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 4th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 4th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 4th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 4th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 4th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 4th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	95
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

Late Flat Dutch gives you that dense, finely layered bite—crunchy raw, but it also stays structured when you braise it down. It’s built for cabbage-forward dishes: shredded slaw, browned skillet wedges, or a slow-cooked pot where the greens hold their shape.

Best Uses

shredded slaw with a creamy, tangy dressing
braises and long-simmered soups (cabbage that doesn’t turn to mush fast)
pan-seared cabbage steaks with browned edges
fermentation-friendly chopping for kraut-style pickles

Flavor Profile

cool, sweet cabbage flavor crisp, tightly layered crunch mildly peppery brassica snap holds texture through long cooking

Kitchen Pairings

caraway mustard bacon apple butter white vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Brassica oleracea var. capitata (late cabbage), and what should I do?

Watch for cabbage worms (imported cabbageworm/diamondback moth larvae) and control them early with handpicking and frequent leaf checks, especially on the undersides. If damage is increasing, apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) labeled for caterpillars and reapply as directed after new larvae hatch. Also manage black rot risk by removing infected leaves immediately and avoiding splashing water between plants, since Brassica can spread bacterial disease through contaminated runoff.

How often should I water Brassica oleracea var. capitata during its main growing phase (from heading formation to maturity)?

Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged once heads begin forming; aim for about 1 inch of water per week, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Water deeply to wet the root zone, then let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly before watering again to prevent head splitting and root stress. During hot spells in full sun, check moisture 1–2 times per week and increase frequency while still avoiding standing water.

How can I tell when late flat Dutch cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads are firm and have filled out the flat, dense shape typical of late cabbage, usually around 95 days from transplanting/when maturity timing aligns. Use the “squeeze test”: the head should feel tight with minimal give, and outer leaves should look sturdy and mature rather than loose. If heads are firm but you see persistent loosening, leave them only briefly—late cabbage can still split if growth becomes too uneven from sudden dry/wet cycles.