Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. capitata 'Early Jersey Wakefield'
A treasured heirloom dating back to the 1840s, this variety produces compact, conical heads that are perfect for small gardens and early harvests. Known for its sweet, tender leaves and reliable performance, it's an excellent choice for gardeners wanting to try a piece of American agricultural history. The pointed heads are distinctively attractive and space-efficient.
Harvest
63-75d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
6–9
USDA hardiness
Height
10-24 inches
Planting Timeline
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 6–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | March – April | May – June | May – June | July – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | May – June | April – June | July – October |
| Zone 5 | February – March | April – May | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | January – February | March – April | March – April | May – December |
| Zone 9 | January – January | February – March | February – March | April – December |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | January – March | March – 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 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
- +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
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
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169975)
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