Winter King Savoy

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Winter King Savoy brings a silken, deeply crinkled green that feels almost velvety in the garden—tight heads form with a regal, layered rosette look as cool weather settles in.

The flavor is sweet and mellow with a gentle cabbage tang, and the texture stays tender through the season, making it a standout for hearty braises, robust sautés, and comforting soups. Grow it for dependable winter performance and a showpiece head that turns every harvest basket into a verdant treasure.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Winter King Savoy

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)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Winter King Savoy’s crinkled leaves melt into soft, silky strands without falling apart, so it holds up beautifully in long braises and spoonable soups. It tastes sweet and composed rather than sharp, which is why it takes to butter-and-acid finishing like a pro.

Best Uses

braised until the layers go velvety and cling to the sauce
thick-cut sautéing where the crinkles crisp at the edges before turning tender
hearty soups—shredded and added late so it stays springy, not mushy
cabbage rolls or stuffed layers that need structure and then collapse into silk

Flavor Profile

sweet, mellow cabbage tang gentle bitterness with a clean brassica bite silky, deeply crinkled leaves that soften into silky ribbons tender bite even in cold weather

Kitchen Pairings

bacon caraway mustard butter apple cider vinegar smoked paprika

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Brassica oleracea var. capitata (Savoy cabbage), and what should I do?

Cabbage worms (imported cabbageworm or cabbage looper) chew ragged holes in savoy leaves, and they’re hardest to catch early. Inspect plants 2–3 times per week and hand-pick larvae when you see them; follow up with an application of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) to target young caterpillars while leaves are still forming. If you notice pale, silvery leaf spotting or white flecks that expand into chewing damage, re-check underside of leaves and re-apply Bt according to the label timing.

How often should I water Winter King Savoy during the main head-forming phase?

During the 2–3 weeks when heads are forming, keep soil consistently evenly moist—aim for about 1 inch of water per week total, split into 2–3 deep waterings if it’s hot or dry. Check by digging 2–3 inches down: if it feels dry at that depth, water; if it stays wet, slow down to prevent soggy roots that can predispose plants to rot.

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

Harvest when heads are firm to the touch and have reached a full, tight savoy texture (about 75 days from transplanting/typical schedule). Lift one leaf to look for a solid core—if it feels springy or easily compresses, give it a few more days. Cut with a sharp knife just above soil level, and don’t wait for heads to split.