Vorbote 3

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Crisp, deeply savoyed leaves unfurl in a cool, sea-glossed green—Vorbote 3 is a delight to grow and behold, with a tender bite and a pleasantly sweet, mild character.

The tight, rounded head forms early (about 60 days), offering a resilient texture that holds its charm whether you enjoy it fresh or turn it into silky, flavorful preparations. Savoy cabbage lovers will appreciate the pronounced ruffling and gentle, leafy sweetness that makes Vorbote 3 a standout in the garden and the bowl.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 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	Jun 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Vorbote 3’s deeply savoyed, ruffled leaves give you a tender-crisp texture that still turns luxurious when cooked—so it works both raw and in a quick sauté without going wet. Look for it with butter, mustard, and a hit of vinegar so the cabbage stays bright instead of flat.

Best Uses

quick-shaved slaws that stay crisp under dressing
stir-fry or sauté where the ruffles cling to glossy sauces
braises that melt into spoon-tender leaves
fermentation-friendly cabbage for fast-culture kraut

Flavor Profile

cool-sweet leafy flavor tender-crisp bite savoyed, paper-thin ruffles that soften into silk light cabbage perfume with a clean finish

Kitchen Pairings

butter caraway seeds garlic smoked pork mustard apple cider vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Brassica oleracea var. capitata (head cabbage), and how can I control it at home?

Cabbage worms (imported cabbageworm or cabbage looper) commonly chew holes in leaves, especially in warm weather. Hand-pick larvae, then spray Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) according to label directions; cover seedlings with row cover if you’re still early in the season. Watch for black rot (dark, V-shaped leaf lesions) and remove infected plants immediately to prevent spread to neighboring brassicas.

How often should I water Brassica oleracea var. capitata during the main head-forming phase, and what soil moisture target should I aim for?

From about transplanting through head formation (roughly weeks 3–8), keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for evenly damp soil 1–2 in (2–5 cm) below the surface. In typical home-garden conditions, this often means watering about 2–3 times per week, increasing to more frequent watering during hot, dry spells. If cabbage leaves split or the soil swings from dry to soggy, switch to smaller, more regular watering to maintain steady moisture.

How can I tell when Brassica oleracea var. capitata is ready to harvest after ~60 days?

Harvest when heads feel firm and reach the expected size for your planting spacing, and the outer leaves look fully developed and crisp. Avoid waiting until heads loosen—if you press gently and the head compresses easily, it needs more time; if the head feels hard and stable, cut it. Typical readiness is around 60 days from transplanting, with the best flavor usually when harvested in cool weather.