Cabbage Red Acre

Cabbage Red Acre is a vibrant and nutritious variety of cabbage, prized for its rich color and delicious flavor. Growing your own Red Acre cabbage ensures access to fresh, healthy produce that can be enjoyed in a variety of culinary dishes.

Preparing for Growing:

1. Selecting a planting location: Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil and good air circulation.
2. Soil preparation: Amend soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and drainage.
3. Purchasing or preparing containers/pots: If growing in containers, choose large, deep pots with drainage holes.

Starting from Seeds Indoors:

1. Seed preparation: No special preparation needed.
2. Choosing suitable pots/containers: Use seed trays or small pots filled with seed-starting mix.
3. Sowing and caring for seeds indoors: Sow seeds ¼ inch deep and keep soil consistently moist. Provide warmth and light for optimal germination.
4. Transplanting to larger containers if necessary: Once seedlings have 3-4 true leaves, transplant them into larger containers to prevent overcrowding.

Starting from Seeds Outdoors:

1. Soil preparation: Prepare a fine seedbed by removing debris and loosening the soil.
2. Selecting appropriate timing and method for outdoor sowing: Sow seeds directly into the garden 2-3 weeks before the last frost date in your area.
3. Caring for seeds outdoors: Keep soil consistently moist until seeds germinate, which typically takes 7-14 days.

Growing in Containers/Pots:

1. Selecting suitable plants for containers: Choose compact, dwarf varieties suitable for container growing.
2. Container and soil preparation: Ensure containers have good drainage and use a quality potting mix enriched with compost.
3. Sowing or transplanting plants into containers: Plant seeds or transplant seedlings into containers, spacing them according to package instructions.
4. Caring for container plants: Water regularly to keep soil evenly moist and fertilize every 3-4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer.

Transplanting to Garden:

1. Soil and planting site preparation: Prepare garden soil by incorporating compost and ensuring proper drainage.
2. Correct timing and method for transplanting: Transplant seedlings when they have 4-6 true leaves, spacing them 18-24 inches apart.
3. Post-transplant care: Keep soil evenly moist and provide a layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Plant Care:

1. Watering: Cabbage Red Acre requires consistent moisture, so water regularly, especially during dry spells.
2. Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks to promote healthy growth and development.
3. Weeding: Keep the area around cabbage plants free of weeds to reduce competition for nutrients.
4. Pest and disease management: Monitor for pests such as cabbage worms and aphids, and diseases like clubroot and powdery mildew. Use organic pest control methods when needed.

Harvesting:

1. Determining when plants are ready for harvest: Harvest cabbage heads when they reach full size and feel firm to the touch.
2. Harvesting and storage guidelines: Cut cabbage heads from the stem with a sharp knife, leaving some outer leaves attached. Store harvested cabbage in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

When to Start from Seeds by USDA Plant Hardiness Zones:

• USDA Zones 3-7: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date, or sow directly outdoors in early spring for a fall harvest.
• USDA Zones 8-10: Start seeds indoors in late summer for a fall harvest.

Fast Facts:

• Planting depth: ¼ inch
• Seed spacing: 1 inch
• Plant spacing: 18-24 inches
• Number of seeds per pot/container: 1-2 seeds per pot
• Water preferences: Evenly moist soil
• Sun preferences: Full sun
• Soil type and other important factors: Well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter
• Companion Planting: Cabbage Red Acre grows well with carrots, onions, and herbs like thyme and sage.
• Temperature Preference: Cool weather crop, prefers temperatures between 45-75°F.
• Days to Germination: 7-14 days
• Days to Harvest: 70-100 days