Early Maturing
Quick Start Cabbage is a fast-maturing cultivar of Brassica oleracea that lives up to its name, reaching harvest in just 55 to 60 days from transplanting. This frost-hardy variety thrives across hardiness zones 2 through 10, making it accessible to gardeners in nearly every region. Dense, compact heads form quickly and reliably when given full sun, consistent moisture, and slightly acidic to neutral soil. The speed of maturation makes it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to succession plant or squeeze multiple harvests into a single growing season.
Full Sun
High
2-10
?in H x ?in W
Perennial
High
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Early types of cabbage mature so fast that timing the harvest becomes critical; Quick Start lives up to this challenge by producing tight heads within eight weeks of transplanting. The compact spacing requirement of just four inches between plants allows gardeners to grow surprising abundance in small spaces. Its frost tolerance means you can push planting dates earlier in spring and later into fall than many other vegetables, extending your harvest window significantly.
Cabbage is exceptionally low in fat and rich in vitamin C and antioxidant phytonutrients, earning it recognition as a nutritional powerhouse in cuisines worldwide. Red varieties, should this cultivar be red, contain anthocyanins with anti-inflammatory properties. Fresh, raw cabbage works beautifully in slaws and salads, while cooked preparations range from stir-fries to braised sides to fermented sauerkraut and kimchi. The mild flavor and tender texture of fast-maturing varieties make them particularly suitable for fresh applications rather than long-cooked dishes.
Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before your last spring frost date, maintaining soil temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Transplant seedlings outdoors after hardening off and once soil has warmed sufficiently and frost danger has passed.
Transplant hardened-off seedlings into the garden when soil temperature is adequate and frost risk has ended. Plant at the same depth they grew in containers, spacing them four inches apart in rows two inches apart. Provide consistent moisture from the moment transplants are in the ground.
Direct sowing is possible but adds 25 to 35 days to maturity, making the total time to harvest 80 to 95 days instead of 55 to 60. Sow seeds directly into the garden from March through June. Fall sowing is not recommended for this variety.
Early varieties like Quick Start mature rapidly and burst quickly after reaching full size, so harvest promptly once heads feel solid and firm when squeezed gently. Monitor plants closely around day 55 to 60 after transplanting for signs of maturity. When cutting heads from the stem, include two or three outer wrapper leaves to protect the head from bruising during handling and storage, but remove any yellowing or damaged leaves. Avoid harvesting over-mature heads, which are prone to splitting, especially if the plant experiences fluctuating moisture levels from rain or irregular watering.
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