Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage Growing Tool

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 brassica →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-15 inches

SoilRich, well-drained soil with plenty of compost

pH6.0-6.8

Water1 inch per week, consistent moisture

SeasonCool season

FlavorSweet, mild, and tender with crisp texture

ColorLight to medium green

Size2-3 pound heads

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	March – April	May – May	April – May	July – September
Zone 4	March – April	May – May	April – May	June – September
Zone 5	March – April	April – May	April – April	June – September
Zone 6	February – March	April – May	March – April	June – September
Zone 7	February – March	March – April	March – March	May – September
Zone 8	January – February	March – March	February – March	May – October
Zone 9	December – January	February – February	January – February	April – October
Zone 10	November – January	January – February	December – January	March – November

Complete Growing Guide

You'll want to prepare your cabbage bed in early spring, working in 2-3 inches of compost or well-aged manure to create the rich, fertile soil Early Jersey Wakefield craves. This variety performs best in slightly alkaline soil (pH 6.0-6.8), so test and amend with lime if needed several weeks before planting.

For your earliest harvest, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in seed trays, keeping soil temperature around 60-70°F for optimal germination in 5-10 days. Once seedlings develop their first true leaves, transplant to individual 3-inch pots. Harden off gradually over 7-10 days before transplanting outdoors when soil temperature reaches 45°F.

If direct seeding, wait until 2-4 weeks before your last frost when soil can be worked. Plant seeds ½ inch deep and thin to 12-15 inches apart – Early Jersey Wakefield's compact size allows for closer spacing than larger cabbage varieties, making it perfect for intensive gardening.

Space transplants 12-15 inches apart in rows 18-24 inches apart. Plant slightly deeper than the seedlings were growing in their pots, burying the stem up to the first set of true leaves to encourage strong root development. Water deeply immediately after transplanting and maintain consistent moisture throughout the growing season.

Fertilize with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer at planting, then side-dress with nitrogen-rich fertilizer (like fish emulsion) 3-4 weeks later when heads begin forming. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen late in the season, which can delay head formation and reduce storage quality.

Mulch around plants with 2-3 inches of straw or grass clippings to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Early Jersey Wakefield is particularly susceptible to drought stress, which can cause premature bolting or loose head formation.

Watch for cabbage worms starting in late spring – inspect plants weekly and hand-pick or use Bt spray at first sign of damage. Row covers during early growth stages prevent many pest issues but must be removed once temperatures consistently exceed 75°F to prevent overheating.

Avoid the common mistake of inconsistent watering, which causes head splitting just before harvest. Provide 1-1.5 inches of water weekly, including rainfall, and consider planting in partial afternoon shade in zones 8-9 to prevent heat stress.

Harvesting

Harvest Early Jersey Wakefield when heads feel firm and solid to gentle pressure, typically 63-75 days from transplanting. The distinctive pointed heads should be 6-8 inches tall and 4-6 inches wide at the base, with tightly wrapped outer leaves that have a slight waxy sheen. Unlike round cabbage varieties, don't wait for maximum size – Jersey Wakefield heads are naturally compact and will split if left too long.

Test readiness by gently squeezing the head from top to bottom. A mature head will feel dense and solid throughout, with no soft or spongy areas. The pointed tip should be firm and well-formed, not loose or opening.

Harvest in early morning when heads are crisp and full of moisture. Cut the main stem 2-3 inches below the head using a sharp knife, leaving the root system and outer leaves intact. Within 2-3 weeks, you'll often get bonus mini-heads (2-3 inches wide) from the remaining stem – a unique advantage of this variety that extends your harvest window significantly.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Early Jersey Wakefield heads store best in the refrigerator at 32-40°F with high humidity, lasting 2-4 weeks when wrapped loosely in perforated plastic bags. Their compact, dense structure makes them excellent keepers compared to looser cabbage varieties.

For longer preservation, Early Jersey Wakefield excels at fermentation – its sweet, tender leaves create exceptional sauerkraut with a milder flavor than larger storage varieties. Chop and salt at 2% by weight, then ferment in jars for 3-4 weeks.

This variety also freezes well when blanched. Core and chop heads, blanch in boiling water for 90 seconds, then ice bath and freeze in portions. The tender leaves break down nicely in soups and stir-fries after freezing. Avoid dehydrating Jersey Wakefield as its high moisture content and delicate texture don't lend themselves well to drying methods.

History & Origin

Early Jersey Wakefield traces its lineage to the 1840s American seed trade, though its roots extend back to the English Wakefield cabbages of the late 1700s. The variety was refined and popularized by American seed companies in New Jersey, hence the 'Jersey' designation, who selected for earlier maturity and better heat tolerance than its English ancestors.

This cabbage became a cornerstone of 19th-century American market gardening, particularly valued by farmers selling to growing urban populations who needed reliable early-season crops. The distinctive pointed shape wasn't just ornamental – it allowed more heads to be packed into shipping crates, making it economically superior to round varieties for commercial growers.

By the 1880s, Jersey Wakefield had become so synonymous with early cabbage that many seed catalogs simply listed it as 'Early Cabbage.' Its genetics contributed to numerous later varieties, and today's Jersey Wakefield maintains the same characteristics that made it invaluable to our great-great-grandparents: dependable early harvest, compact size perfect for small gardens, and sweet flavor that made fresh cabbage a spring delicacy rather than just a storage crop.

Advantages

+Extremely early harvest at just 63-75 days, often ready 2-3 weeks before standard varieties
+Compact pointed heads require only 12-15 inch spacing, maximizing yield in small gardens
+Produces secondary mini-heads after main harvest, extending harvest window by 3-4 weeks
+Exceptional cold tolerance allows planting 2-4 weeks before last frost
+Sweet, tender leaves superior to storage varieties for fresh eating and quick cooking
+Reliable head formation even in variable spring weather conditions
+Perfect portion size for small families with 2-4 pound heads

Considerations

-Heads split rapidly if harvest is delayed even 5-7 days past maturity
-Limited disease resistance compared to modern hybrid varieties
-Poor heat tolerance causes bolting in temperatures above 80°F for extended periods
-Smaller head size provides less yield per plant than full-season varieties
-Tender leaves are more attractive to cabbage worms than tougher varieties

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Dill

Attracts beneficial wasps that prey on cabbage worms and aphids

Onions

Strong scent deters cabbage moths, aphids, and other brassica pests

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and various flying insects that attack cabbage

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for aphids and flea beetles, drawing pests away from cabbage

Celery

Repels cabbage white butterflies and improves soil moisture retention

Lettuce

Provides ground cover, conserves soil moisture, and doesn't compete for nutrients

Spinach

Compatible root systems and harvested before cabbage needs full space

Thyme

Deters cabbage worms and flea beetles with strong aromatic oils

Keep Apart

Tomatoes

Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt cabbage growth

Strawberries

Both are heavy feeders that compete for nutrients, reducing yields

Pole Beans

Can shade cabbage and their nitrogen fixation may cause excessive leaf growth over head formation

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good cold tolerance but limited disease resistance

Common Pests

Cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles, cabbage loopers, root maggots

Diseases

Clubroot, black rot, fusarium yellows, downy mildew

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Early Jersey Wakefield cabbage take to grow?▼

Early Jersey Wakefield takes 63-75 days from transplanting to harvest, making it one of the fastest-maturing cabbage varieties available. From seed to harvest, expect 85-95 days total when starting indoors, or 75-85 days when direct seeded. This early maturity allows for spring harvest before summer heat and potential fall crops in most climates.

Can you grow Early Jersey Wakefield cabbage in containers?▼

Yes, Early Jersey Wakefield is excellent for container growing due to its compact 12-15 inch spacing requirements. Use containers at least 12 inches deep and 14 inches wide for single plants, or larger rectangular containers for multiple plants. The variety's smaller head size (2-4 pounds) won't stress container plants like larger varieties might.

What does Early Jersey Wakefield cabbage taste like?▼

Early Jersey Wakefield has a notably sweet, mild flavor with tender, crisp leaves that lack the strong sulfur bite of storage varieties. The texture is delicate and less fibrous than larger cabbages, making it excellent for fresh eating, slaws, and quick cooking methods. Many gardeners describe it as the best-tasting cabbage for fresh applications.

When should I plant Early Jersey Wakefield cabbage?▼

Plant Early Jersey Wakefield 2-4 weeks before your last frost date for spring harvest, as it tolerates temperatures down to 20°F when established. For fall crops, plant 12-16 weeks before your first fall frost. In mild winter areas (zones 8-10), plant in late fall for winter harvest.

Is Early Jersey Wakefield good for beginners?▼

Yes, Early Jersey Wakefield is excellent for beginning gardeners due to its reliable performance, early harvest that avoids many pest issues, and forgiving nature regarding spacing and soil conditions. The main challenge is timing the harvest correctly, as heads split quickly when overripe, but the visual cues are easy to learn.

Early Jersey Wakefield vs regular cabbage - what's the difference?▼

Early Jersey Wakefield differs from standard round cabbages in its distinctive pointed shape, much earlier harvest (30-40 days sooner), smaller size (2-4 vs 5-8 pounds), and superior flavor for fresh eating. However, it offers less yield per plant and shorter storage life than full-season storage varieties.