What hardiness zones is Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield' suitable for?

Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield' is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b.

What are the sun requirements for Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield'?

Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield' requires Full Sun.

How much water does Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield' need?

Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield' has High water needs.

Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield', Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage

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Vegetables

Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield'

Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage

Brassicaceae

Coastal Europe (B. oleracea; Early Jersey Wakefield American heirloom 1840s NJ from English Wakefield; conical pointed; earliest cabbage; split-resistant)

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height12-15 inches (30-38 cm)

Width18-20 inches (45-50 cm)

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3a - 9b

Zone 3a Zone 3b Zone 4a Zone 4b Zone 5a Zone 5b Zone 6a Zone 6b Zone 7a Zone 7b Zone 8a Zone 8b Zone 9a Zone 9b

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

What's my zone? →

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Container Friendly

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield' is an annual vegetable reaching 12-15 inches (30-38 cm) tall with a spread of 18-20 inches (45-50 cm) and an upright, compact habit with a central pointed head. An American heirloom cabbage introduced in the 1840s—one of the oldest American cabbage cultivars, developed from Wakefield types brought from England to New Jersey. It produces small to medium, conical (pointed), dense heads 2-3 pounds (0.9-1.4 kg) with blue-green wrapper leaves and a tender, sweet, pale green interior. Days to maturity 60-70 from transplant—among the earliest cabbages. Growth rate is moderate to fast. The conical shape allows closer planting than round cabbages. Resistant to head splitting.

Native Range

Brassica oleracea (cabbage group) descended from wild cabbage native to coastal Europe. 'Early Jersey Wakefield' was developed in New Jersey in the 1840s from English Wakefield types.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens for culinary use—coleslaw, cooking, salads. Earliest cabbage 60-70 days. Conical pointed 2-3 lb heads. Tender sweet interior. Close planting possible. Split-resistant. American heirloom 1840s New Jersey. Short storage. Not suitable for sauerkraut (heads too small/tender) or long-term storage.

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'Copenhagen Market' by the conical/pointed (versus round) head shape, the smaller size (2-3 versus 3-4 lb), and the earlier maturity (60-70 versus 65-75 days). Distinguished from Chinese cabbage (B. rapa) by the solid dense (versus loose cylindrical) head. Early Jersey Wakefield—conical pointed head, earliest cabbage, American heirloom 1840s, New Jersey, split-resistant.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 1'3"

Width/Spread1'6" - 1'8"

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

blue

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Yellow four-petaled flowers on stalks if not harvested. Harvest when head is firm and pointed. Resistant to splitting.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellow; four-petaled; bolting only

Foliage Description

Blue-green wrapper leaves; pale green sweet interior; conical pointed head

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

60-70 days from transplant

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Start seed indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Transplant into rich, moist soil (pH 6.0-7.5). Consistent moisture. Heavy feeder. Days to maturity 60-70 from transplant—among earliest. The pointed shape allows 15-18 inch (38-45 cm) spacing—closer than round types. Harvest when heads are firm. Resistant to splitting.