Winter King

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Winter King to a garden.

Feel the slow, steady sweetness of Winter King as its savoyed head tightens into a cool-weather jewel—deeply crinkled leaves that hold their color and a gentle, mellow flavor that shines after the first chill.

Expect a tender, springy texture with richly veined folds, ideal for hearty winter fare and robust braises. Grow it for dependable, long-keeping performance and a stately head that looks as impressive as it tastes.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Rosette

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

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)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Winter King’s savoy folds trap heat and moisture, so it braises down into tender, springy shreds instead of collapsing into mush. That first-chill sweetness plays beautifully with tangy vinegar and smoky pork, and it makes kraut that tastes gentler and rounder rather than sharp.

Best Uses

low-and-slow braise until the folds go silky
shred for warm slaws that hold dressing without going limp
ferment for tangy kraut with a slower, sweeter cabbage character
sturdy leaves for dumpling wraps and cabbage rolls

Flavor Profile

mellow, sweet cabbage backbone savoy crinkle with tender, springy bite earthy brassica savor that turns gentler after cold juicy, slightly mineral leafiness

Kitchen Pairings

caraway mustard butter bacon or smoked pork apple cider vinegar juniper-spiked broth

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cabbage worms (including cabbage loopers and imported cabbageworms) are among the most common pests on Brassica oleracea var. capitata. Hand-pick larvae early and spray as needed with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) when caterpillars are small; repeat according to label instructions. For disease, watch for black rot and other brassica rots by removing infected leaves immediately and avoiding overhead watering so foliage stays dry.

How often should I water Winter King cabbage during the main growing phase?

During head formation, keep the soil evenly moist—aim for about 1–1.5 inches of water per week, adjusting for heat and rainfall. Water deeply so moisture reaches 6–8 inches down, and avoid letting the soil swing from dry to waterlogged because cabbages can develop poor head texture and split. Mulch helps stabilize moisture around the plants.

How do I tell when Winter King cabbage is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads are firm and compact with leaves that feel tight rather than loose, typically around 85 days from planting. Use the head size and firmness—if you press the outside lightly and it feels springy or loose, it needs more time. For best quality, cut in the cool part of the day and leave a short stem with outer leaves to protect the head.