Red Acre

Family: Brassicaceae Brassica

Sink your senses into Red Acre’s richly hued heads—deep wine-red to violet-black at maturity, with a satin sheen that feels almost velvety in the garden.

The leaves form a tight, rounded capitulum with crisp, finely textured bite and a naturally sweet, mellow character that shines in bold, colorful preparations—ideal for roasting, braising, and tangy pickling, as well as fresh slaws for striking contrast.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Rosette

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 2nd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	40
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Red Acre’s tighter leaf structure and naturally sweet, mellow cabbage flavor make it stand up to strong vinegar and mustard without tasting harsh. Use it shredded or braised—its pigments bleed beautifully into the dressing or braising liquid, turning every forkful ruby without losing that crisp bite.

Best Uses

shredded raw slaw with a vinegar-sour dressing (color stays bold)
braises and confits where it turns silky but doesn’t go watery
tangy vinegar pickling for that clean, crunchy bite
roasting wedges to caramelize the edges while keeping a firm core

Flavor Profile

sweet, mellow cabbage taste crisp, finely textured bite earthy brassica snap with a gentle tang deep wine-violet pigments that color sauces and slaws

Kitchen Pairings

apple cider vinegar mustard bacon or pork belly juniper berries goat cheese caraway seeds

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases commonly hit Brassica oleracea var. capitata (red cabbage), and how can I control them at home?

Watch for cabbage worms and imported cabbage moth caterpillars, which leave holes in leaves; hand-pick early and spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) when caterpillars are small. Also check for downy mildew or fungal leaf spots during humid weather—improve airflow by spacing plants properly, avoid wetting the foliage, and remove badly infected leaves promptly.

How often should I water red cabbage during the main growing phase (roughly weeks 3–8), and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged: water deeply about 1–2 times per week, more often if your top 1 inch of soil dries out. During head formation, aim for steady moisture to prevent leaf splitting and stunting; mulch can help maintain even moisture around the base.

How do I tell when red cabbage is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the head is firm and compact and reaches the typical size for your planting, usually around 75 days from sowing for this crop. If you can gently press the head and it feels tight with minimal give between leaves, it’s ready; cut the head off at the base with a sharp knife, leaving outer leaves to protect the head.