How to grow Golden Acre cabbage: a compact firm green cabbage head in the garden

How to Grow Golden Acre Cabbage From Seed

By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Updated July 2026

Golden Acre is a classic early heirloom cabbage that forms compact, firm round heads about 3 to 4 pounds in as little as 60 to 70 days from transplant. Its short-stemmed, space-saving plants make it a favorite for small gardens, tight spacing, and spring planting. The tight, crack-resistant heads have sweet, tender leaves that shine raw in slaw or cooked in wedges. This guide covers how to grow Golden Acre cabbage from seed, from starting seedlings to cutting solid heads.

Ready to grow your own? Shop Cabbage Golden Acre Seeds from Organo Republic.

This is the quick guide to Golden Acre. For the full step-by-step on starting seeds, sowing, feeding, and troubleshooting cabbage, see our complete guide to growing cabbage from seed.

Quick start

Start Golden Acre indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost, sowing a quarter inch deep. Transplant into rich, firm soil in full sun, spacing plants 12 to 18 inches apart. Keep evenly moist with about 1.5 inches of water a week, and cut the firm, round heads in about 60 to 70 days before they split.

Best tip

Because Golden Acre heads early and tight, watch it closely as it firms up and cut promptly, or give the plant a gentle quarter turn to root-prune and buy a week or two before it splits. Climate note: it is a cool-season cabbage, so grow it as a spring or fall crop in the North and as a fall or winter crop in hot Southern regions to avoid bolting.

At a glance

Botanical nameBrassica oleracea var. capitata

Plant typeCool-season annual vegetable (early cabbage)

USDA zones1 to 9 (grown as a cool-season annual)

SunFull sun (6 or more hours)

Days to maturity60 to 70 days from transplant

Height12 to 15 inches

Spacing12 to 18 inches apart, rows 24 to 36 inches

Water1.5 inches a week; keep evenly moist

Uses

Golden Acre has sweet, tender leaves that are excellent raw, so it shines shredded into coleslaw, tacos, and salads. Its firm, compact heads also hold up well cooked in wedges, stir-fries, and soups, or fermented into sauerkraut. The small heads store for weeks in the fridge and are just the right size to use up in a few meals.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Golden Acre cabbage take to grow?

Golden Acre is an early variety that heads up in about 60 to 70 days from transplant. If you start seeds indoors, add 4 to 6 weeks in the tray, so plan on roughly three months from sowing to a firm, cuttable head.

How big do Golden Acre cabbage heads get?

Golden Acre forms compact, round green heads about 6 to 7 inches across, roughly 3 to 4 pounds. Its small, tight heads make it ideal for small gardens and tight spacing where big storage cabbages would not fit.

Why is my Golden Acre cabbage splitting?

Splitting usually comes from a sudden drink of water after the head is already firm, or from leaving a mature head too long. Because Golden Acre heads early and tight, harvest promptly once solid, water evenly, and give the plant a quarter turn to root-prune if you need to hold it a bit longer.

Is Golden Acre good for small gardens and spring planting?

Yes. Its compact, short-stemmed plants take tight spacing of 12 to 18 inches, and its quick 60 to 70 day maturity makes it perfect for an early spring crop. It is one of the best cabbages for raised beds and small spaces.

Ready to grow your own? Start with a packet of heirloom Golden Acre cabbage seeds.

Sale

Cabbage Golden Acre SeedsHeirloom, non-GMOHeirloom Golden Acre cabbage: compact, early, crack-resistant green heads for small gardens.

Price$4.99Starting at$3.99

View product

Want more than cabbage? These value sets all include cabbage seeds, plus many more vegetables:

Sale

Vegetable Seeds Variety Pack55 varieties, cabbage includedA big 55-variety vegetable collection for a full season of harvests, cabbage included.

Price$21.99Starting at$17.99

View product

By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Maxim founded Organo Republic in 2017 and personally selects, tests, and grows the heirloom, non-GMO varieties the company offers. Under his leadership, Organo Republic was named Agri Business Review’s Top Non-GMO Seed Variety Solution 2026.