VegetableCabbage
Late Flat Dutch Cabbage
Heading Cabbage
Late Flat Dutch Cabbage is a heavyweight champion among cool-season vegetables, producing massive 10 to 15 pound heads with pale green leaves and a subtle, delicate sweetness. This hardy variety thrives across zones 2 through 10 and reaches harvest maturity in 100 to 109 days, making it the reliable choice for gardeners who want to extend their cabbage season well into fall. The large, flat heads store exceptionally well, and the plant's robust nature makes it equally at home in a backyard garden or on a commercial farm.
Photo © True Leaf Market(https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/cabbage-late-flat-dutch-seed)
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Consistent Moisture
Preferred Temp60-75°F
Growth Stats
18 in
Height
PeriodBiennial
TypeBush
Spacing
18-24 inches apart in rows spaced 3 feet apart
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-10
Size
18in H x ?in W
Growth
Biennial
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
These are genuinely huge heads, sometimes reaching 15 pounds at full maturity. The pale green coloring and flat form are distinctive, and the flavor carries a delicate sweetness that improves after a light frost. Late Flat Dutch thrives in cooler weather and rewards patient growers with impressive harvests in mid to late season, long after earlier varieties have peaked.
Common Uses
Late Flat Dutch cabbage is a kitchen staple for fresh use, coleslaw, fermented preparations like sauerkraut, and braised or boiled dishes where its delicate sweetness shines. The large, sturdy heads are also excellent for storage, making this variety valuable for gardeners planning winter meals or preservation projects.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Not Applicable
First Harvest
Late Summer
Last Harvest
Early Fall
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Sow seeds indoors in soil kept between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Late Flat Dutch cabbage performs well when started indoors before transplanting to the garden, allowing you to time transplants for optimal fall harvest conditions.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings into the garden after they've developed true leaves and the soil has warmed. Space plants 18 inches apart to allow ample room for large head development. For a fall harvest, time transplanting so heads mature as temperatures cool.
Harvesting
Harvest heads after approximately 100 to 109 days when they feel solid and firm when pressed. Cut heads at the base using a sharp knife, leaving the stem and outer leaves in place if you prefer a second, smaller harvest. The flavor becomes noticeably sweeter after light frosts, so late-season harvests often taste superior to early picks.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Soil pH Range
6.5 – 7.5
Scientific Classification
Brassica oleracea L.
Family
Brassicaceae
Genus
Brassica
Duration
Perennial
Growth Habit
Forb/herb
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)CAN (W)GL (W)