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Dottenfelder Cabbage
Brassica oleracea
Dottenfelder is a long season cabbage that can grow sizable dense heads with a flat to round shape. Their short cores and storage ability are desirable attributes for kraut making or dead of winter slaws. Dottendelderhof, this cabbage's namesake, is a Biodynamic farming community nestled in the Hesse region of Germany. This green cabbage was most recently worked on by Dieter Bauer, co-founder of Germany's Kultursaat breeders network. You'll find many Kultursaat varieties on the market today.
Days to maturity: 90-100
Seeds per pack: 125
Germination rate: 86% on 02/23/2024
Planting / harvesting notes
Either start indoors or direct sow. Sow seeds no more than 1/4" deep in potting soil 4-8 weeks before the last frost, and transplant 18-24" apart in May or June. Alternatively, directly sow your seeds in clusters of 2 or 3 no more than 1/4" deep every 18-24". Thin to the best plant in each cluster. Harvest when the cabbage head feels firm when squeezed by cutting the stem below the head.
Seed keeping notes
Isolate by 1/2 mile from other flowering members of B. oleracea, including Collards, Kale, Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Brussels Sprouts to avoid unwanted cross-pollination. Allow seed pods to turn brown and dry before seed harvest. Protect from birds.
