SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Red Express

Cabbage
Zone 11b Save Garden

Planting Schedule

Add Red Express to your garden to build a schedule and get reminders.
Botanical illustration of Red Express
75d to harvest

Crisp, cool crunch meets a bold, ember-deep color in Red Express—heads that emerge with a richly saturated burgundy-red sheen and hold their color beautifully as they mature. The texture is tight and fine-grained, with a satisfying snap that stays pleasantly resilient from garden to table. Ideal for fresh salads, slaws, and vibrant braises, Red Express brings striking color and lively flavor to every cabbage-forward dish.

Crop Dates

Growing note: Frost-free Zone 11b supports continuous outdoor production.
MilestoneDate
ClimateFrost-Free Climate
Growing ApproachContinuous Production

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity75
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitRosette
Support NeededNone
Planting DepthNormal
Germination Temp (°F)45
Min Soil Temp (°F)40
Min Night Temp (°F)30
Harden Off (days)6

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Red Express in Zone 11b typically begins around throughout the growing season. Wait until soil reaches at least 40°F before transplanting Red Express.

Garden Alerts

Frost-free Zone 11b supports continuous outdoor production.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common Brassica oleracea var. capitata (cabbage) pest or disease, and how do I manage it?
Cabbage often suffers from cabbage worms (cabbage looper/diamondback moth) that chew holes in leaves and frass on the plant. Check leaves under the canopy twice a week and hand-pick early larvae; for control, spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and reapply as directed until chewing stops. If you see yellowing with water-soaked spots or a fuzzy gray growth, remove affected leaves immediately and avoid overhead watering to reduce spread.
How can I tell when my Brassica oleracea var. capitata heads are ready to harvest?
Harvest when heads feel firm and reach the expected size for your planting spacing, usually around 75 days from transplanting. Use gentle pressure: a ready head should not compress easily with your palm. If outer leaves begin to loosen while the head remains firm, cut at the base and remove loose outer leaves before storing.
Botanical illustration of Red Express

Crisp, cool crunch meets a bold, ember-deep color in Red Express—heads that emerge with a richly saturated burgundy-red sheen and hold their color beautifully as they mature. The texture is tight and fine-grained, with a satisfying snap that stays pleasantly resilient from garden to table. Ideal for fresh salads, slaws, and vibrant braises, Red Express brings striking color and lively flavor to every cabbage-forward dish.

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Red Express in Zone 11b typically begins around throughout the growing season. Wait until soil reaches at least 40°F before transplanting Red Express.

Garden Alerts

Frost-free Zone 11b supports continuous outdoor production.

Sowing Tips

Soil Temperature

Direct sow or transplant when soil at planting depth holds 40°F for reliable germination and early growth.

Expert Note

For best early heads in short seasons, keep seedlings cool (avoid heat) and transplant into consistently moist soil once nights are reliably above freezing.