red cabbageBrassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra

red cabbage

red cabbage

1. Brassica oleracea convar. capitata var. rubra

1. Cabbage, red, raw

1. Cabbage, red, raw

1. red cabbage
2. Cabbage, red, raw
3. Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra

Mustard family

1. Weißkohl
2. Wirsing
3. Blumenkohl
4. Brokkoli
5. Kohlrabi

1. head
2. leaves

Red cabbage, also known as purple cabbage, is a classic winter vegetable that impresses not only visually with its firm, intensely colored heads but also with its taste. Rich in vitamins and minerals, it's a versatile companion in the kitchen, whether raw in salads, steamed as a side dish, or fermented as sauerkraut.

Growing red cabbage requires nutrient-rich soil and consistent watering. As a heavy feeder, it needs regular fertilization. Pre-cultivation begins in spring, with harvest extending from summer into late autumn. Protection against pests like the cabbage white butterfly is crucial for a successful harvest.

Ensure a wide crop rotation to prevent soil fatigue and diseases. Mulching helps retain soil moisture. Regularly check for pests and diseases and intervene early if necessary.

Harvest the heads when they are firm and dense. Red cabbage stores well, either in a cool cellar or fermented as sauerkraut for even longer shelf life.

1. Tasksowing_indoor

   Label

   Start pre-cultivation

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 3

   Conditionfrost_free_indoors

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   For early varieties in seed trays at approx. 15-20°C.

1. Taskplanting_out

   Label

   Plant out early varieties

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 4

   Conditionafter_last_frost

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Harden off seedlings and plant outdoors after the last expected frosts.

2. Tasksowing_indoor

   Label

   Continue pre-cultivation

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 4

   Conditionfrost_free_indoors

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   For mid-early varieties.

1. Tasksowing_outdoor

   Label

   Direct sowing

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 5

   Conditionsoil_temp_above_10c

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Sow directly outdoors for autumn and winter harvest.

2. Taskplanting_out

   Label

   Plant out seedlings

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 5

   Conditionafter_last_frost

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Plant pre-grown plants into the bed.

3. Tasksowing_indoor

   Label

   Pre-cultivate late varieties

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 5

   Conditionfrost_free_indoors

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   For late varieties to be harvested in autumn.

1. Tasksowing_outdoor

   Label

   Continue direct sowing

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 6

   Conditionsoil_temp_above_10c

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   For a staggered harvest.

2. Taskplanting_out

   Label

   Plant out late varieties

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 6

   Conditionafter_last_frost

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Last planting for winter storage.

3. Taskwatering

   Label

   Water regularly

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 6

   Conditiondry_weather

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Especially important during head formation.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   First harvest

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 7

   Conditionheads_firm

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Early varieties are ready for harvest.

2. Taskpest_control

   Label

   Pest control

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 7

   Conditionregular_check

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Watch out for cabbage white butterflies and other pests.

3. Taskwatering

   Label

   Water sufficiently

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 7

   Conditiondry_weather

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Consistent moisture promotes head development.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   Harvest regularly

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 8

   Conditionheads_firm

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Mid-early varieties are ready for harvest.

2. Taskfertilize

   Label

   Top-dress

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 8

   Conditiongrowth_stagnation

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Top-dress with compost or organic fertilizer if needed.

3. Taskwatering

   Label

   Water well

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 8

   Conditiondry_weather

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Important for head development and to prevent splitting.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   Main harvest season

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 9

   Conditionheads_firm

   Estimated efforthigh

   Notes

   Many varieties reach maturity now.

2. Taskpest_control

   Label

   Pest control

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 9

   Conditionregular_check

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Continue to monitor for pests, especially cabbage root fly.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   Harvest late varieties

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 10

   Conditionheads_firm

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Harvest heads before heavy frost and store.

2. Taskstorage

   Label

   Prepare for storage

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 10

   Conditionharvested

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Hang heads with root ball in a cool, frost-free place or store in sand.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   Last harvest

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 11

   Conditionbefore_heavy_frost

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Harvest all remaining heads before the first heavy frost.

Full sun to partial shade

Moderate wind protection recommended

A sunny location promotes head formation and intense red coloration.

Deep, humus-rich, loamy

Well-drained but moisture-retentive

Red cabbage prefers nutrient-rich, medium to heavy soil. Avoid waterlogging.

Regularly and abundantly, especially during dry periods

Water directly at the root area, avoid watering over the leaves

Consistent soil moisture is crucial for development and prevents heads from splitting. Mulching helps retain moisture.

1. Before planting: incorporate plenty of compost or well-rotted manure.
2. During growth: 2-3 top-dressings with organic vegetable fertilizer or nettle liquid manure.

Organic vegetable fertilizer, compost, nettle liquid manure

As a heavy feeder, red cabbage requires many nutrients. Good basic fertilization and regular top-dressing are essential.

Red cabbage is a heavy feeder and should not be grown in the same bed for 3-4 years to prevent soil fatigue and diseases.

Heavy feeder, Brassica

1. Legumes (peas, beans)
2. Green manure

1. Other Brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi)
2. Spinach
3. Rhubarb

1. Light feeders (lettuce, radishes)
2. Medium feeders (carrots, onions)

1. Other Brassicas

Red cabbage is a heavy feeder and should not be grown in the same bed for 3-4 years to prevent soil fatigue and the spread of diseases like clubroot.

1. Slugbormangel

   Name

   Boron Deficiency

   Description

   Leads to hollow stems, brown spots within the head, and poor head formation. Young leaves may become distorted.

2. Slugcalciummangel

   Name

   Calcium Deficiency

   Description

   Manifests as 'tip burn' (marginal necrosis) on the inner leaves of the head, especially during rapid growth and irregular watering.

3. Slugstickstoffmangel

   Name

   Nitrogen Deficiency

   Description

   Leads to pale green to yellowish leaves, starting on older leaves, and overall stunted growth.

1. Slugschossen

   Name

   Bolting (premature flowering)

   Description

   The plant prematurely forms a flower stalk instead of a firm head. Often triggered by cold stress or irregular watering.

2. Slugplatzen_der_koepfe

   Name

   Head splitting

   Description

   Heads split open, usually due to sudden, heavy water uptake after a dry period, leading to uneven growth.

1. Insects (caterpillars, fly larvae, aphids, flea beetles)
2. Slugs

1. Fungal diseases (Clubroot, Downy Mildew, Alternaria Leaf Spot)
2. Bacterial diseases (Black Rot)

1. Maintain a wide crop rotation (at least 3-4 years break for Brassicas).
2. Ensure healthy, nutrient-rich soils with good drainage.
3. Use protective netting against flying insects (cabbage white butterfly, cabbage root fly).
4. Provide consistent watering to avoid plant stress.
5. Grow resistant varieties where available.
6. Regularly inspect plants for the first signs of pests or diseases.

Look for discolorations, feeding damage, deformities, or growths on leaves, stems, and roots. Also check the undersides of leaves for pests. If wilting occurs despite sufficient moisture, inspect the roots.

1. Slugkohlweissling

   Severityhigh

   Conditions

   1. Warm, sunny periods
   2. Open, unprotected beds

   Affected parts

   1. Leaves
   2. Head

   Prevention

   1. Protective netting (mesh size < 1.0 mm)
   2. Companion planting with deterrents (celery, tomatoes, aromatic herbs)
   3. Regular hand-picking of caterpillars and eggs

   Organic control

   1. Biological preparations with Bacillus thuringiensis (BT)
   2. Neem oil
   3. Hand-picking
2. Slugkohlfliege

   Severityhigh

   Conditions

   1. Moist, warm soils
   2. Spring and late summer

   Affected parts

   1. Roots
   2. Stem base

   Prevention

   1. Protective netting (apply immediately after planting)
   2. Cabbage collars made of cardboard or felt around the stem
   3. Crop rotation
   4. Companion planting with celery or tomatoes

   Organic control

   1. Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae) at soil temperatures above 12°C
   2. Watering with tansy liquid manure
3. Slugkohlhernie

   Severityhigh

   Conditions

   1. Acidic soil (pH < 6.5)
   2. Waterlogging
   3. Tight crop rotation with Brassicas

   Affected parts

   1. Roots

   Prevention

   1. Wide crop rotation (at least 4-7 years break)
   2. Raising soil pH by liming (to 7.0-7.5)
   3. Good drainage
   4. Growing resistant varieties

   Organic control

   1. Immediately remove infected plants and do not compost them
   2. Soil improvement with compost and lime
4. Slugbormangel

   Severitymedium

   Conditions

   1. Calcareous soils
   2. Drought
   3. High pH

   Affected parts

   1. Growing tips
   2. Stems
   3. Head

   Prevention

   1. Balanced fertilization with boron (e.g., with compost or specific boron fertilizers)
   2. Consistent watering
   3. Soil analysis to determine boron content

   Organic control

   1. Foliar feeding with borax solution (dose carefully!)
   2. Incorporation of compost
5. Slugplatzen_der_koepfe

   Severitymedium

   Conditions

   1. Heavy rainfall after dry periods
   2. Irregular watering

   Affected parts

   1. Head

   Prevention

   1. Consistent watering, especially during head formation
   2. Mulching for moisture regulation
   3. Harvest at maturity to avoid overripeness

   Organic control

   1. Not applicable as it's a physiological disorder. Prevention is key.

1. Symptom

   Large holes in leaves, often with caterpillar droppings

   Possible causes

   1. kohlweissling

   First checks

   1. Check undersides of leaves for caterpillars and eggs
2. Symptom

   Wilting, stunted growth, club-like swellings on roots when inspected

   Possible causes

   1. kohlhernie

   First checks

   1. Carefully dig up plant and check roots
   2. Measure soil pH
3. Symptom

   Plant prematurely forms a flower stalk, no firm head

   Possible causes

   1. schossen

   First checks

   1. Check weather conditions (cold stress?)
   2. Check variety for bolting tendency
4. Symptom

   Head splits open

   Possible causes

   1. platzen_der_koepfe

   First checks

   1. Check watering over the last few days (large fluctuations?)
5. Symptom

   Young plants wilt, die, roots are eaten

   Possible causes

   1. kohlfliege

   First checks

   1. Check root area for maggots
6. Symptom

   Small, round holes in leaves, especially on young plants

   Possible causes

   1. erdfloehe

   First checks

   1. Shake plants to see small beetles
7. Symptom

   Leaves pale green to yellowish, older leaves affected first, stunted growth

   Possible causes

   1. stickstoffmangel

   First checks

   1. Check fertilization history
   2. Consider soil analysis
8. Symptom

   Hollow stems, brown spots within the head, distorted young leaves

   Possible causes

   1. bormangel

   First checks

   1. Check soil pH
   2. Check fertilization history

1. Germination
2. Leaf development
3. Head formation
4. Harvest
5. Flowering (in 2nd year)
6. Seed maturity (in 2nd year)

Red cabbage forms a firm head in the first year. For seed saving, the plant must overwinter and will then flower in the second year.

1. 7
2. 8
3. 9
4. 10
5. 11

Depending on variety and sowing time, from summer to late autumn.

Cut the head at the stem with a sharp knife, leaving some outer leaves attached to the stem.

Harvest heads when they are firm and dense. For late varieties, harvest before the first heavy frost.

Once per plant, as the entire head is harvested.

1. Firm, dense head
2. Glossy, healthy outer leaves
3. Reaching variety-specific size

Remove outer, damaged, or dirty leaves. Do not cut the stem too short to improve storage life.

1. Store in a cool, dark place
2. Freezing
3. Fermenting (sauerkraut)
4. Pickling

Whole heads can be stored in a cool, frost-free place (e.g., cellar). Fermenting is ideal for longer shelf life.

Cool storage vegetable

Whole heads: 2-5 months in a cool cellar; Cut/Cooked: 3-5 days in the refrigerator; Fermented: several months to over a year.

1. Make sauerkraut
2. Freezing (blanched)
3. Pickling in vinegar
4. Cooking and freezing in portions

Fermenting (sauerkraut)

1. Cooking (steamed, braised)
2. Pickling

Red cabbage is versatile and can be used raw, cooked, or fermented. Its color can change during cooking depending on the pH of the water or by adding acid (e.g., vinegar).

1. Salads
2. Side dish for meat (e.g., venison, duck, goose)
3. Stews
4. Soups
5. Fermented as sauerkraut

Earthy, slightly peppery, sweetens when cooked, slightly bitter raw.

1. Apples
2. Onions
3. Vinegar
4. Red wine
5. Caraway
6. Cloves
7. Bay leaf
8. Poultry
9. Game
10. Roast pork

1. Raw, shredded (salad)
2. Steamed
3. Braised
4. Pickled
5. Fermented

1. Rich in Vitamin C and K
2. Dietary fiber
3. Anthocyanins (antioxidants)
4. Folic acid
5. Potassium

The intense red color comes from anthocyanins, which act as a pH indicator. With vinegar or lemon juice, the color remains red; with baking soda, it turns bluish-purple.

1. Head (leaves)
2. Young leaves

1. Tough core
2. Heavily damaged or yellowed outer leaves

No known toxic properties. Excessive raw consumption may cause flatulence in sensitive individuals.

Yes, very suitable for salads.

At least 800 meters from other Brassica oleracea varieties (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.) to prevent cross-pollination.

1. Pods are dry and brittle
2. Seeds are hard and dark colored

Red cabbage is biennial. For seed saving, the plant must form a head in the first year and flower in the second year. Overwintering is necessary.

Plants must survive winter to flower and set seeds in the spring of the second year. Protection from severe frost is often necessary.

1. Spatial isolation (at least 800m)
2. Temporal isolation (different flowering times)
3. Insect-proof cages for selected plants

Medium (due to biennial nature and need for isolation)

Red cabbage is a herbaceous plant and does not require special training systems or grafting.

Red cabbage flowers attract bees and other pollinators when plants go to seed in their second year. The leaves serve as a food source for cabbage white butterfly caterpillars.