Cabbage, Red Acre

Cabbage, Red Acre
(Brassica oleracea var. capitata)

Red Acre Cabbage is a classic heirloom variety known for its compact heads, vibrant purple color, and dependable cool-season performance. This variety produces firm, round heads with crisp leaves and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Its manageable size and reliable growth make it a favorite for home gardens and fresh kitchen use.

Key Characteristics

• Compact Purple Heads
  Red Acre forms small to medium-sized round heads with tightly packed leaves. The rich purple coloration adds striking contrast in both garden beds and harvest baskets.
• Crisp Texture & Mild Flavor
  Leaves are crunchy and tender with a mild sweetness. Excellent for fresh slaws, salads, sautéing, and colorful vegetable dishes.
• Reliable Heirloom Variety
  This long-standing cabbage variety has been grown successfully in home gardens for generations due to its dependable head formation and consistent quality.
• Well Suited to Small Gardens
  Compact plants allow efficient spacing in raised beds and intensive planting systems while still producing dense, high-quality heads.

Product Details

• Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. capitata
• Native Range: Mediterranean (cultivated worldwide)
• Plant Life Cycle: Annual
• Sun Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Medium to medium-wet, fertile, well-drained
• Mature Height: 1–1.5 feet
• Bloom Time: April–May (second year if overwintered)
• Bloom Color: Yellow
• Days to Maturity: ~70–75 days
• USDA Hardiness Zones: Grown as an annual in zones 3–10

Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before transplanting or direct sow in early spring or midsummer for fall harvest. Maintain fertile soil and steady moisture to encourage dense head formation. Harvest when heads feel firm and fully developed. In permaculture systems, rotate cabbage with legumes or deep-rooted crops to maintain soil fertility.

Red Acre Cabbage offers beautiful color, crisp texture, and reliable harvests—an excellent heirloom cabbage for productive cool-season gardens.