Super Red 80

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Crisp, jewel-toned heads arrive in a rich, velvety red that deepens as they mature—an eye-catching color with a satisfying crunch.

Super Red 80 forms tightly wrapped, heavy cabbages with a fine, dense texture and a pleasantly sweet, cabbage-forward flavor that holds its character beautifully. Ideal for bold salads, vibrant slaws, and tangy fermented or pickled preparations where color and crunch are the stars.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 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 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 19th
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)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Super Red 80’s fine, dense texture keeps its crunch under aggressive acid, so it won’t go limp in slaw or pickles. Use it when you want cabbage flavor that’s sweet-leaning with a crisp bite—and that bruises into a dramatic, velvety red as it matures or ferments.

Best Uses

shredded slaw with a sharp vinaigrette that stays snappy
quick-pickles or refrigerator brine where the crimson stays vivid
fermented red cabbage for tangy, funk-forward crunch
braised or roasted wedges to concentrate sweetness without going hollow

Flavor Profile

sweet, cabbage-forward flavor tight, dense crunch cooling, mildly peppery brassica bite color that turns deeper and more velvety with cook/ferment

Kitchen Pairings

apple caraway white vinegar mustard bacon goat cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease pest issue for Brassica oleracea var. capitata (cabbage) like ‘Super Red 80’, and how do I control it?

Cabbage commonly suffers from cabbage worms (imported cabbageworm/diamondback) that chew holes in leaves and can rapidly devastate heads. Inspect plants 2–3 times per week and hand-pick caterpillars early, then treat with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) when you first see active feeding (follow label rates; reapply after heavy rain). For disease, watch for black rot and other brassica leaf issues—remove infected outer leaves immediately and avoid wetting foliage to reduce spread.

How often should I water ‘Super Red 80’ during the main growing phase so heads form properly?

During head formation (roughly mid-season to the last 3–4 weeks before harvest), keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged, aiming for about 1 inch of water per week total from rainfall and irrigation. Water deeply 1–2 times weekly rather than frequent light sprinkling, and check moisture 2–3 inches down—if it’s dry there, water. Avoid letting the soil swing from very dry to very wet, which can contribute to splitting and poor head tightness.

How can I tell when ‘Super Red 80’ is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads feel firm and dense when gently squeezed, and the outer leaves have reached the expected size for the variety by about 85 days from transplanting/establishment. Check color and firmness at least every few days in the final week—looser, “springy” heads need more time. Cut the head with a sharp knife, leaving a few outer leaves to protect it during handling.