Detroit Dark Red
Brassica oleracea var. capitata 'Detroit Dark Red'
A classic heirloom cabbage prized for its deep burgundy-red color and exceptional storage capabilities. This reliable variety produces dense, round heads with crisp texture and sweet flavor that intensifies after light frosts. Perfect for both fresh eating and traditional fermented preparations like sauerkraut.
Harvest
100-110d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
6–9
USDA hardiness
Height
10-24 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Detroit Dark Red in USDA Zone 7
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Detroit Dark Red · Zones 6–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | March – April | May – June | May – June | August – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | May – June | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 5 | February – March | April – May | April – May | July – November |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | April – May | July – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | March – May | July – November |
| Zone 8 | January – February | March – April | March – April | June – December |
| Zone 9 | January – January | February – March | February – March | May – December |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | January – March | May – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruits dry and split when ripe.
Color: Brown/Copper, Green. Type: Siliqua. Length: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Edibility: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Detroit Dark Red stores exceptionally well when properly handled. After harvest, remove loose outer leaves but leave several wrapper leaves intact. Store unwashed heads in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper drawer at 32-40°F with high humidity. Properly stored heads keep 3-4 months.
For longer preservation, Detroit Dark Red excels at fermentation—its dense texture and natural sugars create superior sauerkraut with beautiful deep red color. Shred and ferment using a 2% salt ratio by weight. The variety also freezes well when blanched for 2-3 minutes, though texture becomes softer. Consider dehydrating outer leaves into crispy chips or pickling whole small heads in vinegar brine for colorful additions to winter meals.
History & Origin
Detroit Dark Red cabbage originated in the market gardens surrounding Detroit, Michigan, in the early 1900s. German immigrant farmers in the region developed this variety by selecting for deeper red coloration and improved storage qualities from existing red cabbage strains they brought from Europe.
The variety gained popularity throughout the Midwest during the 1920s-1930s, particularly among communities with strong German heritage who prized it for sauerkraut production. Its exceptional keeping qualities made it invaluable for families storing vegetables through harsh northern winters without refrigeration.
Commercial seed companies began offering Detroit Dark Red widely in the 1940s, and it became a standard in American victory gardens during World War II. The variety represents the successful adaptation of European cabbage genetics to American growing conditions, specifically selected for reliability in the variable climate of the Great Lakes region. Today, it remains one of the most dependable heirloom red cabbages available to home gardeners.
Advantages
- +Attracts: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
- +Wildlife value: It serves as a host plant for butterflies, moths, flies, sawflies and beetles.
- +Edible: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Onions
Repel flea beetles and aphids that commonly attack beets
Lettuce
Grows well in beet shade and makes efficient use of garden space
Garlic
Natural pest deterrent that repels root maggots and aphids
Bush Beans
Fix nitrogen in soil which benefits beet growth and development
Carrots
Compatible root depths and similar growing requirements
Radishes
Break up compacted soil and mature quickly between beet plantings
Spinach
Similar soil and water requirements, can be intercropped effectively
Cabbage
Both benefit from similar soil conditions and pest management
Keep Apart
Pole Beans
Climbing growth can shade beets excessively and compete for nutrients
Mustard
Allelopathic effects can inhibit beet germination and growth
Fennel
Inhibits growth of most garden plants including beets through allelopathy
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #747447)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to splitting, moderate clubroot tolerance
Common Pests
Cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles, cutworms
Diseases
Clubroot, black rot, downy mildew, alternaria leaf spot