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 moderate to high water needs.

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

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Annuals

Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield'

Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage

BrassicaceaeEurope

At a Glance

Typevegetable

Habitupright

Foliagedeciduous

Height12-18 inches

Width12-15 inches

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.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Container Friendly

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield' is a compact, early-maturing cabbage cultivar renowned for its distinctive conical heads and reliable performance. This heritage variety produces pointed, pyramid-shaped heads that weigh 2-3 pounds when mature, with tightly packed pale green to blue-green leaves that form dense, solid hearts. The outer leaves are smooth with prominent white veins and a waxy coating that gives them a distinctive blue-green cast. Unlike round-headed cabbage varieties, Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield' maintains its characteristic pointed shape throughout development, making it easily recognizable in the garden. The heads are firm and crisp with excellent flavor, and the variety is prized for its ability to produce quality heads even in challenging growing conditions.

Native Range

Brassica oleracea is native to the Mediterranean region and western Europe, including coastal areas of Spain, France, and the British Isles. The species grows naturally on limestone cliffs and rocky shores where it has adapted to maritime conditions.

Suggested Uses

Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield' works well in vegetable gardens, raised beds, and container growing. Excellent for early fresh eating, coleslaw, and light cooking applications. The compact size makes it ideal for small gardens or succession planting. Perfect for areas with short growing seasons due to its early maturity. Suitable for market gardening and home preservation.

How to Identify

Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield' can be identified by its distinctive pointed, conical cabbage heads that come to a sharp apex rather than forming the round heads typical of most cabbage varieties. The heads are compact, weighing 2-3 pounds, with blue-green outer leaves that have prominent white midribs. The plant maintains a relatively small, upright growth habit compared to larger cabbage varieties, and the pointed heads develop early in the season, typically maturing 10-14 days before round-headed varieties.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 1'6"

Width/Spread1' - 1'3"

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

blue green

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

SpringSummer

second year if allowed to bolt, typically spring to early summer

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow

Foliage Description

blue-green to pale green with prominent white veins

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

• 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

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

moderate to high

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

60-70 days

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield' requires consistent moisture throughout the growing season, needing approximately 1-1.5 inches of water weekly. Maintain evenly moist but well-draining soil to prevent splitting of mature heads. Feed with a balanced fertilizer at planting and side-dress with nitrogen-rich fertilizer 3 weeks after transplanting. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Monitor for common brassica pests including cabbage worms, flea beetles, and aphids, using row covers early in the season for protection.

Pruning

Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield' requires minimal pruning during growth. Remove any yellowing or damaged outer leaves as needed, but avoid removing healthy outer leaves as they protect the developing head. Harvest the main head when it feels firm and solid but before it begins to split or bolt. Cut the head at the base, leaving the root system intact, as smaller secondary heads may develop from the remaining stem.

Maintenance Level

moderate

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 5 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield' is non-toxic and safe for human consumption when properly prepared. All parts of the plant are edible, though leaves and heads are the primary consumed portions. Generally safe for pets in small quantities, though large amounts may cause digestive upset in some animals.

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

transplant

Indoor Start

6 weeks before last frost

Direct Sow Timing

early spring, 2-4 weeks before last frost

Days to Maturity

60–70 days

Plant Spacing

18 inches

Companion Planting

Good Companions

tomatoes

lettuce

onions

carrots

dill

chamomile

nasturtiums

Avoid Planting With

strawberries

pole beans

fennel