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Vorbote 3

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Vorbote 3 to a garden.

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

Botanical illustration of Vorbote 3

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Vorbote 3 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 May 4th Jun 1st Jul 31st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a Apr 27th May 25th Jul 24th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b Apr 17th May 15th Jul 14th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a Apr 17th May 15th Jul 14th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b Apr 21st May 19th Jul 18th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a Apr 17th May 15th Jul 14th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b Apr 15th May 13th Jul 12th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a Apr 10th May 8th Jul 7th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b Apr 6th May 4th Jul 3rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a Apr 3rd May 1st Jun 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b Mar 28th Apr 25th Jun 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a Mar 23rd Apr 20th Jun 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b Mar 13th Apr 10th Jun 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a Mar 4th Apr 1st May 31st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b Feb 23rd Mar 23rd May 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a Feb 6th Mar 6th May 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b Jan 12th Feb 9th Apr 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a — Oct 1st Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b — Oct 1st Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a — Oct 1st Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b — Oct 1st Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a — Oct 1st Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b — Oct 1st Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a — Oct 1st Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b — Oct 1st Nov 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity60
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitRosette
Support NeededNone
Planting DepthNormal
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.