Red Express

Cabbage

Zone 8b Save Garden

🌱 75d to harvest Rosette

Crisp, cool crunch meets a bold, ember-deep color in Red Express—heads that emerge with a richly saturated burgundy-red sheen and…

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 2nd
Last Frost	Mar 23rd
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Mar 16th
Harvest Begins	May 30th
Harvest Ends	Nov 12th

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

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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 often should I water red cabbage during the main growing phase?

During head formation (roughly after the plants are well-established and before maturity), keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Aim for deep watering about 1–2 times per week, increasing to 2–3 times during hot or windy weather, and water only when the top 1 inch of soil starts to dry. Mulch around plants helps maintain even moisture, which improves head tightness and reduces split heads.

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.

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.

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