Cabbage

Basic Information

Seed Number

172

Seed Name

Cabbage

Variety

Red Acre

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Brassicaceae

Plant Type

Red heading cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Mar 10

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jul 15

Plantable Months

March, April, May, June, July

Indoor Start

Mar 10 – Apr 1

Direct Sow

Apr 1 – Jul 1

Transplant

Apr 7 – Jul 15

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

8 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

Not recorded

Germination Days

5–12 days

Harvest/Maturity

75–90 days

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

75-85°F for germination

Planting Depth

1/4-1/2 in

Plant Spacing

12-18 in

Row Spacing

24-36 in

Thin-To Spacing

12-18 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Water evenly and consistently; irregular moisture can contribute to head splitting

Soil Preference

Fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter

Minimum Container Size

5 gal

Plant Height

Not recorded

Perennial/Biennial Status

Biennial

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

Yes

Heat Tolerant

No

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

Botanical Interests; MSU Extension

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors; transplant, or direct sow
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Apr 1 – May 10; Jul 1 – Jul 20 for fall crop
Days to Harvest / Bloom: About 75–100 days
Container Friendly: Yes, 5–7+ gal
Pollinator Friendly: Low if harvested; flowers attract insects in the second year
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary vegetable
Perennial?: Biennial botanically; grown as an annual vegetable
Succession / Reusable Notes: Spring and fall crops are both possible.
Zone 6B Notes: A fall crop avoids the worst summer heat and can hold well in cool weather.
Companion Plants: Lettuce, onions, dill, cilantro, calendula
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Watch cabbage worms/loopers, aphids, clubroot and head splitting; rotate brassicas and keep moisture steady.
Sources: Botanical Interests: https://www.botanicalinterests.com/products/red-acre-cabbage-seeds | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Red Acre can be grown as an early spring cabbage or started in early summer for a fall crop. Cool weather produces the best head quality.
Germination: Start spring seedlings indoors 4-8 weeks before transplanting. Cabbage seed germinates quickly under warm seed-starting conditions.
Harvest: Harvest when the round red-purple head is firm and solid. Mature heads generally weigh about 3-5 pounds and store well.
Seed Saving: Cabbage is biennial and crosses with other flowering Brassica oleracea crops. Plants must overwinter or be vernalized before seed production.
Special Care: Red Acre is compact and relatively resistant to splitting, making it useful in smaller gardens.
Research Source: Fedco Seeds — https://fedcoseeds.com/seeds/red-acre-cabbage-3359 — 75-day maturity, open-pollinated status, 3-5 pound heads, 5-7 inch head size, compact habit and storage quality
Research Source: Urban Farmer — https://www.ufseeds.com/product/red-acre-cabbage-seeds/CARA.html — 1/2-inch sowing depth, 12-inch spacing, 24-36 inch rows and even-watering guidance
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]