Variety field guide
What to expect from Early Jersey Wakefield
Early Jersey Wakefield is a biennial cabbage selection grown for fresh heads or rosettes, cooking, fermenting, succession planting, and seed saving.
Read the complete product descriptionTraits, flavor, garden use, variety notes, and the full catalog record
Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage seeds produce a classic pointed cabbage producing compact conical heads for early harvest. Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage performs best when the crop is timed for cool weather, established in fertile, well-drained soil, and kept growing without drought checks. Small gardens, early cabbage, slaw, and fresh cooking are where this variety earns its place.
About Early Jersey Wakefield
Early Jersey Wakefield is a biennial selection of cabbage, with a rosette habit and an expected height or spread of 13–18 in. It is best suited to fresh heads or rosettes, cooking, fermenting, succession planting, and seed saving. Notable traits include small to medium conical head; crisp, mild to robust brassica flavor.
Keep field notes on Early Jersey Wakefield so its performance can be compared with other cabbage selections under the same planting date and care.
History and provenance
Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, collards, kale, and kohlrabi are distinct crop groups within Brassica oleracea. Generations of selection emphasized different plant organs: flower buds, heads, leaves, side buds, or swollen stems. Their shared species identity is especially important in seed-saving isolation. Early Jersey Wakefield is a historic American seed-catalog cabbage descended from older Wakefield types. It has been maintained by many seed houses and gardeners. Early Jersey Wakefield is a historic American seed-catalog cabbage descended from older Wakefield types.
Growing facts
| Scientific name | Brassica oleracea L. Capitata Group |
|---|---|
| Life cycle | Biennial |
| Maturity | 60-69 Days |
| Germination | 5-10 Days at 50–65 °F |
| Seed depth | 1/4 in |
| Plant height / spread | 13–18 in |
| Growth habit | Rosette |
| Spacing | 18 in between plants; 30 in between rows |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Soil | Loamy; pH 6.0–6.5 |
| Water | Moderate |
| Support | No-Support |
Starting Early Jersey Wakefield from seed
Sow 1/4 in deep and keep the seed zone evenly moist. Expect emergence in 5-10 Days when the seed-zone temperature is near 50–65 °F. Germination preparation: Start in clean seed-starting mix when season length requires it, then transplant at a sturdy but not root-bound stage. Light requirement: Cover evenly to 1/4 in. Soaking: None required. Stratification: None required. Scarification: None required.
Planting and care
Plant during spring and provide full sun. Space plants 18 in apart with 30 in between rows. Use loamy with a pH near 6.0–6.5, and follow a moderate watering plan. Support requirement: No-Support. Frost response: Semi-Hardy. Medium to large container or in-ground bed; avoid crowding
Harvest and use
Approximately 60-69 Days, from transplanting to the primary market harvest stage. Weather, soil temperature, and planting method can shift the actual harvest date. Harvest: Small to medium conical head. Uses: Fresh heads or rosettes, cooking, fermenting, succession planting, and seed saving. Flavor: crisp, mild to robust brassica flavor. Seed saving: Insect-pollinated Brassica oleracea. Best uses include fresh heads or rosettes, cooking, fermenting, succession planting, and seed saving. Flavor and eating quality: crisp, mild to robust brassica flavor.
Saving seed
Select several healthy, true-to-type Early Jersey Wakefield plants that match the expected rosette habit and overall plant form. Avoid saving seed only from the earliest or largest individual unless that is your deliberate selection goal. Pollination system: Insect-pollinated Brassica oleracea. Crop groups within Brassica oleracea can cross with one another. Separate compatible varieties that may flower together, or use cages, barriers, hand pollination, or another documented control appropriate to the crop. Early Jersey Wakefield is a biennial. Seed production may require overwintering, vernalization, or more than one growing season, depending on climate and crop biology. Clean the seed carefully, dry it thoroughly away from direct heat, label the lot with variety and year, and store it cool, dark, and dry. Test germination before an important planting or distribution season.
Common problems
Common concerns: Flea beetles, imported cabbageworm, cabbage loopers, aphids, slugs, root maggots, and clubroot risk where the pathogen is present. Management: Use rotation, insect netting before pests arrive, regular leaf inspection, sanitation, and well-drained soil. Do not plant the same brassica family repeatedly in one bed. Diagnosis note: Similar symptoms can have different causes. Compare plants of the same age, record weather and irrigation, and use local Extension or diagnostic support before applying a control.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions - Early Jersey Wakefield
When is Early Jersey Wakefield ready? Use 60-69 Days. Approximately 60-69 Days, from transplanting to the primary market harvest stage. Weather, soil temperature, and planting method can shift the actual harvest date.
How long does germination take? Expect 5-10 Days at about 50–65 °F. Cooler, hotter, crusted, saturated, or dry seedbeds can slow emergence.
How large does it grow? Expect about 13–18 in with a rosette habit. Space plants 18 in apart and rows 30 in apart. Support: No-Support.
Can it grow in a container? Medium to large container or in-ground bed; avoid crowding Use a container with drainage and enough volume to maintain the listed spacing and steady moisture.
Can I save seed? Insect-pollinated Brassica oleracea. Keep compatible varieties isolated and allow selected plants to reach full seed maturity.
