Red Acre Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. capitata 'Red Acre'
An early-maturing red cabbage that forms compact, baseball-sized heads perfect for small families and succession planting. This reliable variety produces gorgeous deep purple-red heads that hold their color beautifully when cooked and adds stunning visual appeal to any garden or plate.
Harvest
76-80d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
6–9
USDA hardiness
Height
10-24 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Red Acre Cabbage in USDA Zone 7
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Red Acre 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 | July – November |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | March – May | June – 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 | April – 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 Red Acre heads store exceptionally well when harvested properly. Remove loose outer leaves but keep tight wrapper leaves intact. Store in refrigerator crisper drawer at 32-35°F with high humidity for 3-4 months. Wrap in perforated plastic bags to maintain moisture while allowing air circulation.
For longer preservation, Red Acre excels at fermentation – its natural sugars and firm texture make outstanding sauerkraut that retains beautiful color. Finely shred and ferment using traditional salt-brine methods. The variety also freezes well when blanched for 2-3 minutes, though texture softens. Avoid canning whole heads as the texture becomes mushy, but quick pickled red cabbage preserves both color and crunch beautifully.
History & Origin
Red Acre Cabbage originated in the 1940s from the renowned Ferry-Morse Seed Company in California, developed specifically for American home gardeners seeking a reliable, compact red cabbage variety. The name 'Acre' reflects the variety's suitability for small-scale growing, as post-WWII victory gardens transitioned to suburban home gardens.
Bred from European red cabbage genetics, Red Acre was selected for its consistent heading ability in varied American climates and shorter growing season compared to traditional storage cabbages. The variety gained popularity during the 1950s health food movement when red vegetables were promoted for their nutritional benefits.
As an open-pollinated heirloom, Red Acre has maintained its genetic stability for over 75 years, with many gardeners saving seeds from their best plants. This variety helped establish red cabbage as a mainstream garden vegetable in America, moving beyond its traditional European immigrant communities to become a staple in diverse home gardens across the continent.
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 insects like parasitic wasps that control cabbage worms and aphids
Onions
Repel cabbage maggots, flea beetles, and aphids with their strong sulfur compounds
Marigolds
Deter cabbage worms, aphids, and other pests while attracting beneficial predatory insects
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and flea beetles, drawing pests away from cabbage
Celery
Repels cabbage white butterflies and provides natural pest deterrent through aromatic compounds
Lettuce
Maximizes space utilization as a quick-growing understory crop with shallow roots
Carrots
Break up soil for cabbage roots and help deter cabbage flies while using different soil layers
Chamomile
Improves soil health and may enhance cabbage flavor while attracting beneficial insects
Keep Apart
Tomatoes
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt cabbage growth through allelopathic effects
Strawberries
Inhibit cabbage growth and development through root competition and chemical interference
Pole Beans
Can shade cabbage excessively and compete for nitrogen that brassicas need for leaf development
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169975)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to splitting and yellows
Common Pests
Cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles, cabbage root maggots
Diseases
Black rot, clubroot, fusarium yellows, downy mildew