300 Seeds

This heirloom cabbage is large-spreading, short-stemmed, and known for being the best cabbage to make your own sauerkraut! 

Its "lateness" means that it is able to be planted late in the growing season. Many gardeners report great success starting Late Flat Dutch Cabbage around September and harvesting in November or even until the end of December. They are versatile and robust with very dense leaves and can be used with delicious results in salads, slaw, and soups as well. Store them unwashed in the refrigerator in a sealed plastic bag for up to two weeks. 

As the name implies, the earliest record of Late Flat Dutch Cabbage traces to the Netherlands. It was introduced to North America by German immigrants in the 1860s. It's an ideal cabbage for beginner gardeners and is relatively low-maintenance and heat-tolerant with a classic beautiful blue-green color.

Germination time is 7-14 days with approximately 100 days until the cabbage reaches maturity when it will reach 12 to 15 lb flattened-oval heads of wonderful flavor. Prepare for the mature cabbage head diameter to reach 7-8" inches deep by 12-14" inches wide. 

Like all cabbages, it is vulnerable to pests. Beware the notorious white cabbage moth. Damage from the moth can potentially be mitigated by strategic companion planting with herbs such as peppermint, rosemary, sage, and thyme. Keep an eye out for aphids, cabbage worms, slugs, cabbage loopers, cabbage root maggots, and flea beetles as any of these can also cause a threat to the crop.

Sowing The Seed

Cabbage is a cool seasoned crop, which is well suited for the early Spring and early to late Autumn season. The seeds can be started indoors, or directly outdoors. If started indoors, sow in peat pots, 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last frost, at a depth of 1/4” under topsoil. Transplant into the garden, or direct sow outdoors, when the weather is slightly cool to warm. Check below for spacing and growth habits.

Growing Conditions

Cabbage plants, as explained above, will thrive in cooler temperatures. It is recommended to place them in an area of full sunlight, with temperatures averaging around 60F to 65F. The plants will need a soil that is rich in organic matter, but also well drained. If your sowing area is filled with hard, compact soil, we recommend adding in a light compost mix to improve drainage. Water the plants daily to ensure that the soil is kept moist until germination has occurred.

Germination & Growth

Cabbage seeds will typically take anywhere between 7 to 14 days to sprout open. The plants themselves will take up little garden space, and can be grown in rows. Each plant can be spaced about 18 to 24 inches apart from one another, in rows that are spaced about 24 to 30 inches apart. Fertilize when new leaves form, and when the heads begin to form. Harvest your Cabbage heads in roughly 100 days.