Savoy King

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Crisp, deeply savoyed leaves unfurl into a dense, stately head with a cool, sea-green glow and a pleasantly sweet, cabbage-forward flavor.

Savoy King’s texture is tender-crisp with pronounced, crinkled ridges that hold their character through the season, making it a standout for hearty winter fare. Grow it for reliable, full-size heads at about 80 days—ideal for fresh salads, braises, and robust slaws that shine with its distinctive, ruffled bite.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 80 DaysHabit: Rosette

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

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	80
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Savoy King’s ridged, deeply crinkled leaves give you that satisfying snap on the first chew, then soften in a controlled way when heat hits. It’s built for braising and slaw work where you want cabbage flavor to stay vivid without getting watery or cabbage-mushy.

Best Uses

shred for crunchy winter slaw that doesn’t turn to mush
braise until the ridges go silky while the core stays pleasantly structured
leaf-by-leaf sauté for a quick, glossy ragù-style skillet base
soup duty: cabbage ribbons that hold their shape in brothy stews

Flavor Profile

sweet, cabbage-forward bite tender-crisp leaf texture with crinkled ridges cool, faintly sea-green freshness mildly peppery, brassica tang

Kitchen Pairings

butter mustard (Dijon or whole-grain) bacon or smoked pork apple cider vinegar caraway seeds goat cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Brassica oleracea var. capitata (Savoy-type cabbage), and how do I control it?

Watch for cabbage worms (imported cabbageworm/diamondback moth larvae) and treat quickly, before holes spread across the leaves. Use row cover right after planting to block adults, and if you see larvae, spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and reapply according to the label every 5–7 days during active feeding. For disease, keep foliage dry and improve airflow to reduce downy mildew/black rot risk—remove and discard infected outer leaves promptly.

How often should I water Savoy-type cabbage during the main growing phase?

During head formation (roughly mid-growth through the last 3–4 weeks), keep soil consistently evenly moist but not waterlogged. Aim for about 1–1.5 inches (2.5–3.8 cm) of water per week total, increasing during hot spells, and water at the base so leaves stay dry. If the soil surface dries 1–2 inches down, it’s time to water again.

How can I tell when Savoy King cabbage is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads feel firm to the touch and have reached the typical size for your planting spacing, usually around 80 days from sowing/transplanting timing. The outer leaves may look slightly fuller and the head should not easily compress when you gently squeeze it. Cut the head with a sharp knife, leaving a few outer leaves to protect the curd, and harvest before prolonged heavy rain periods to reduce splitting.