Mammoth Red Rock

Family: Brassicaceae Brassica

Sink your senses into Mammoth Red Rock’s richly hued heads—an inky, wine-red to deep plum that holds its color with impressive confidence.

At maturity, the cabbage forms a broad, weighty silhouette with crisp, tightly layered leaves that feel satisfyingly firm to the touch and stay resilient for slicing. Grow for bold, color-forward slaws and hearty braises, or for vibrant pickling that showcases its deep, earthy sweetness.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Mammoth Red Rock

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 18th
Harvest Begins	Jul 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
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

Mammoth Red Rock is built for people who want cabbage that tastes aggressive but eats clean: tight leaves, snappy bite, and a color that doesn’t ghost out when heat hits. Slice it for slaw or let it soften in fat and vinegar—this variety stays confident, not watery, and it flavors the pan fast.

Best Uses

shredded slaw that stands up to heavy dressing without collapsing
braises and skillet sautés where the leaves stay plump and sliceable
deep-violet quick pickles and fermented kraut that keeps its color
pan-seared cabbage steaks to chase caramelized edges

Flavor Profile

inky, slightly sweet earthiness crisp, tightly layered crunch peppery cabbage bite with a wine-red tang holds structure when cooked

Kitchen Pairings

caraway apple mustard bacon or smoked pork vinegar butter

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cabbage can suffer from clubroot (a soil-borne disease) and also from cabbage worms/loopers that chew leaves. For clubroot, remove and destroy infected plants, avoid replanting cabbages in the same spot for several years, and lime the bed to keep soil near neutral (clubroot worsens in acidic soil). For worms, inspect undersides weekly and use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) early, spraying in the evening for good coverage on feeding larvae.

How often should I water during the main growing phase of Brassica oleracea var. capitata (cabbage)?

During head formation (roughly mid-season through about 85 days), keep the soil consistently evenly moist—about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5–3.8 cm) of water per week, adjusting for rain and heat. Water deeply enough to wet the root zone, but avoid soggy soil because irregular wet-dry cycles can lead to loose heads and stress. Use mulch to stabilize moisture and reduce the frequency of surface drying.

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

Harvest when the head feels firm and dense when you gently squeeze it—soft or “give” means it needs more time. Most heads will be ready around 85 days from transplanting, but rely on firmness over the calendar. If the leaves start to loosen or split, harvest promptly to prevent quality loss.