Savoy Perfection

Cabbage

Zone 5a Save Garden

Botanical illustration of Savoy Perfection

🌱 85d to harvest Rosette

Savoy Perfection unfurls in a dense, cathedral-like rosette of deeply crimped leaves, cool to the eye with a rich, blue-green glo…

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Apr 10th
Last Frost	May 8th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 8th
Harvest Begins	Aug 1st
Harvest Ends	Sep 30th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

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Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Savoy Perfection (Brassica oleracea var. capitata), and how do I control it?

Watch for cabbage worms (imported cabbageworm/diamondback moth larvae) that chew ragged holes in Savoy leaves. Hand-pick small larvae and use row cover once heads begin forming; if pressure is high, apply an insecticidal soap or Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and reapply as directed after new egg activity. Also monitor for black rot and clubroot—avoid contaminated soil, keep leaves dry, and don’t plant Brassicas in the same spot more than once every few years.

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

During the weeks when heads are enlarging (roughly mid-season to maturity), keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. In typical home gardens this often means watering 1–2 times per week, then adjusting to weather so the top few inches stay consistently damp; if leaves wilt in midday and spring back by evening, you’re slightly under-watering. Add mulch to slow drying because Savoy is slow to “close” a loose outer canopy and dries out unevenly if the soil surface is allowed to crust.

How can I tell when Savoy Perfection is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 85 days when heads feel firm to the touch and the outer leaves are fully developed with good, tight savoy texture. Avoid waiting until heads split—check by gently pressing a few inches around the head; if the center yields like a thick ball, it’s ready, but if it’s still springy and loose, give it more time. For best quality, cut in the morning and leave 1–2 outer wrapper leaves to protect the head in storage.

Savoy Perfection unfurls in a dense, cathedral-like rosette of deeply crimped leaves, cool to the eye with a rich, blue-green glow. Each head is tender yet substantial, with a finely puckered texture that holds its character through the season’s chill—ideal for those who love greens with a gentle sweetness. Grow Savoy Perfection for hearty salads, braises, and silky purées, or for pickling-forward flavor that benefits from its vivid, leaf-deep structure.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 40°F and nights stay above 30°F before moving outdoors. Harden off for 6 days first.

Expert Note

For the sweetest, mildest flavor, grow savoy cabbage in cool weather and avoid heat stress by transplanting as soon as nights are above ~35°F and daytime temps are reliably springlike.