Red Acre Cabbage – MIg

Description

Red Acre Cabbage is a classic heirloom variety prized for its compact, round heads, deep red-purple leaves, crisp texture, and mildly sweet, peppery flavor. The dense heads are excellent for fresh salads, coleslaw, pickling, fermentation, stir-fries, and cooking. This productive variety is well suited to home gardens and containers and performs exceptionally well during the UAE’s cool growing season.

When to Plant in the UAE

• Indoors: Start seeds indoors in September.
• Outdoors: Transplant seedlings or direct sow in late October, when temperatures begin to cool.

Planting & Care Tips

• Light & Soil: Grow in full sun in fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost and organic matter.
• Depth & Germination: Sow seeds 0.5–1 cm deep. Germination typically occurs within 5–10 days.
• Spacing: Space plants 40–45 cm apart, with 50–60 cm between rows.
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during head formation, while avoiding waterlogged conditions. Uneven watering can cause heads to split.
• Feeding: Apply compost before planting and feed with a balanced fertilizer every 3–4 weeks during active growth. Avoid excessive nitrogen once heads begin forming.
• Harvest: Heads are typically ready to harvest approximately 70–90 days after transplanting, when they are firm and fully developed.
• Harvesting Tips: Cut heads at the base with a sharp, clean knife, leaving a few outer leaves attached for protection. Harvest promptly once heads are firm to reduce the risk of splitting.