Tete Noire is a rare French heirloom cabbage that has captivated gardeners at Baker Creek for its remarkable reliability and deep appeal. This small, traditional variety produces solid heads with a striking deep-red color and firm, delicious texture that speaks to its old-world pedigree. Nearly unknown outside of Europe, it thrives as an autumn crop and matures in just 65 days, making it accessible even to gardeners in colder climates (zones 3-10). Its frost-hardy nature and preference for cool weather mean you can harvest well into fall, extending your season when most other vegetables are fading.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-10
?in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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Tete Noire delivers the rare combination of historical authenticity and practical reliability. A solid, deep-red head with genuinely firm, delicious flesh sets it apart from run-of-the-mill cabbage varieties. Its small stature and 18-inch spacing make it perfect for gardens with limited room, while its frost-hardiness lets you push the harvest deep into autumn without worry. Baker Creek describes it as a favorite because it simply works, year after year, producing reliable heads in cool-season conditions most home gardeners can provide.
As a traditional French cabbage, Tete Noire is grown for fresh culinary use, where its firm, solid heads hold up well to cooking, braising, or sautéing. Its small size makes it convenient for smaller households or storage, while its deep-red color adds visual appeal to both raw and cooked preparations. The dense texture and delicious flavor make it suitable for traditional French preparations, coleslaw, or any application where you want a cabbage that maintains its structure and delivers real taste.
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Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your intended transplant date. Maintain soil temperature between 65-75°F for germination, and expect sprouts in 7-10 days. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep. Transplant seedlings outdoors when they've developed 2-3 true leaves and soil temperatures have reached at least 50°F.
Transplant seedlings 18 inches apart in full sun once they've been hardened off over 7-10 days of gradually increasing outdoor exposure. Space rows 18-20 inches apart. Transplant in early spring or mid-summer for autumn harvest, ensuring plants have cool conditions (50-75°F) to develop solid heads.
Direct sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in early spring or mid-summer for autumn maturity. Space seeds 18 inches apart and thin seedlings as needed. Soil temperature should be between 65-75°F for germination.
Harvest Tete Noire heads approximately 65 days after planting when they feel solid and firm to the touch. Cut heads at the base with a sharp knife when they've reached desired size. Because this variety is frost-hardy, you can leave mature heads in the garden through light frosts, which actually improves flavor. Check regularly for maturity by gently squeezing heads; when they feel dense and compact, they're ready. Autumn harvests often extend several weeks as freezing temperatures approach.
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“This small French cabbage carries the quiet distinction of being a traditional variety that remained rooted in its native European growing regions for generations. It earned its place as a beloved autumn crop in France, where cool-season gardeners have long appreciated its solid heads and dependable yields. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds recognized its rarity and value beyond Europe and brought it into their collection because of its proven track record as a reliable producer. For a variety to be described as a 'favorite' at a respected seed house speaks to both its horticultural merit and the human story behind its preservation across the Atlantic.”