Days to Maturity: 63
A super early variety, Red Express Purple/Red Cabbage is grown as a leafy vegetable. The plant sets dense, oval-shaped, deep red-purple heads, weighing 2 to 4 pounds. Homegrown cabbage is sweeter and crunchier than store bought. Purple/Red cabbage is popular for pickling and braising. Cabbage is considered a superfood for its nutrient rich content, having a high (top 20) Aggregate Nutrient Density Index score (ANDI), or micronutrient-per-calorie density. It is a good source of vitamin C and also contain vitamin A, vitamin B6, potassium, fiber, and many phytonutrients, including glucosinolates, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds.
Red Express Purple/Red Cabbage was bred for Canada and northern United States. Typically grown as an annual, this herbaceous biennial is a member of the cabbage and mustard family (Brassicaceae or Cruciferae), commonly called crucifers, brassicas, or cole crops. Red Express Purple/Red Cabbage has a medium-sized, compact habit and can be spaced closer than other varieties.
Easy to grow from seed, Red Express Purple/Red Cabbage prefers full sun and organically rich, consistently moist, well-drained loams. If roots stand in water, heads will split or rot. Cabbage is a heavy feeder and benefits from amending the soil before planting with aged manure and/or compost and fertilizing with a balanced ratio of nutrients, preferably a 10:10:10, in the early stages of growth.
A cool-season, winter-hardy vegetable, the toughest of the cool-season crops, one of the first to be planted in the garden, red cabbage seed can be direct sown into the garden as soon as the soil is workable in early spring, approximately 4 weeks before the last frost date. Seeds can also be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting into the garden, early spring and fall. It needs cold temperatures to germinate and grow, withstanding light frost and temperatures below 28 degrees. Row covers offer added protection from heavy frost. Mulching helps to moderate soil temperature and to maintain soil moisture.
If you plan to start your seeds indoors, be sure to check out our Bio Dome Seed Starter Kit. With the Bio Dome, you can control the temperature, light, and soil mix to ensure your seeds become strong for transplant.
