How to Grow Red Acre Cabbage From Seed

By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Updated July 2026

Red Acre is a compact, early-maturing red cabbage that produces firm, round heads in deep purple-red. Maturing in about 75 days, it is smaller and quicker than most green cabbages, which makes it a great fit for smaller gardens and tighter spacing. The dense heads store exceptionally well and hold their color and crunch in slaws, salads, and red sauerkraut. Give it full sun and cool weather and it rewards you with vivid color and reliable, easy harvests.

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

This is the quick guide to Red 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 seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost, kept around 65 to 70F, then harden off and transplant 12 to 18 inches apart once seedlings have a few true leaves. Give full sun, steady moisture, and rich soil for firm heads. Red Acre matures in about 75 days; cut the heads once they feel solid and dense. For a fall crop, direct sow or transplant in mid to late summer so heads mature in cool weather for the deepest color.

Best tip

Red Acre colors up best in full sun and cool weather, so time your planting to let heads mature in the cool of spring or fall rather than mid-summer heat. Keep moisture even, since sudden watering after a dry spell can split the firm heads. In hot-summer regions like the South, favor a fall crop; in cold northern zones its excellent frost tolerance lets you harvest well into autumn. Harvest promptly once heads are solid, and store the dense heads cold for many weeks.

At a glance

Botanical nameBrassica oleracea var. capitata

Plant typeCool-season biennial grown as an annual

USDA zones1 to 9 (grown as an annual)

SunFull sun (6+ hours)

Days to maturityAbout 75 days from transplant

Height10 to 14 inches

Spacing12 to 18 inches apart

WaterConsistent and even; about 1 to 1.5 inches per week

Uses

Red Acre is a kitchen workhorse. Its crisp, deep purple-red leaves add color and crunch to coleslaw and salads, hold up beautifully in red sauerkraut and quick pickles, and keep their color when braised or roasted. The compact, dense heads store for weeks in the refrigerator or root cellar, so a small planting can feed the kitchen well past the first frost.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Red Acre cabbage take to grow?

Red Acre is an early red cabbage, ready to harvest in about 75 days from transplant. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost, or direct sow for a fall crop, and cut the heads once they feel firm and solid.

Why is my Red Acre cabbage green instead of red?

Red Acre develops its deepest purple-red color in full sun and cooler weather. Plants grown in shade or during warm spells often look more green-purple. Give them 6 or more hours of sun and let the heads mature into cool fall temperatures for the richest color.

Does Red Acre cabbage store well?

Yes. Red Acre is prized as a storage cabbage. Its firm, dense heads keep for many weeks in a cool, humid spot such as a refrigerator or root cellar, and it also holds its color and crunch well when shredded for slaw or fermented into red kraut.

How far apart should I space Red Acre cabbage?

Because Red Acre is compact, space plants about 12 to 18 inches apart in rows 24 to 30 inches apart. Its smaller heads suit closer spacing and tighter beds than many green cabbages, making it a good choice for smaller gardens.

Ready to grow your own? Red Acre seeds give you compact, early red cabbages that store well and add vivid color to slaws and kraut. For the full step-by-step, see our complete cabbage growing guide linked at the top of this page.

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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.