Early Jersey Wakefield, Heirloom Cabbage Seeds

Early Jersey Wakefield, Heirloom Cabbage Seeds — The 1840 American Classic | Conical Pointed Heads, Compact, Yellows Resistant, 60–75 Days

Early Jersey Wakefield (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is one of the most storied cabbages in American garden history. First grown in the U.S. by Francis Brill in Jersey City, N.J., obtained from England under the same name, and first released publicly by the Peter Henderson Seed Company in 1868. A wonderful early heading variety occupying little garden space — compact, somewhat conical heads with a distinctive pointed peak, glaucous-green leaves, and very few outer leaves. Heads measure 5–7 inches in diameter x 10–15 inches tall, weighing 2–4 lbs. Yellows resistant, resists splitting, and can be planted close. Sensitive to heat — plant early or grow in regions with cool summers. Particularly adapted in the South to overwintering in the field when small. 60–75 days.

What the Seed Houses Said

1908 McKenzie Seed House: “First early cabbage variety. Long recognized as the best very early Cabbage. Medium in size; in shape, pyramidal, with a pointed peak. It is a reliable, certain header, and one of the most profitable to raise.”

1929 Steele Briggs Seeds: “One of the earliest and hardest heading of the extra early cabbage sorts; most gardeners depend upon it for the bulk of their extra early cabbage crop. Heads conical, very compact and solid, of excellent quality cabbage.”

1932 Burpee’s Seed Company: “A productive cabbage variety. The heads are uniformly hard and solid, conical in form, generally pointed at the end, with but few outside leaves. The heart is solid and well blanched.”

1992 Seed Savers Garden Seed Inventory: “60–75 days. Conical solid tightly folded heads, 5–7 inches in diameter x 10–15 inches tall, 2–4 lbs., yellows resistant, can be planted close, smooth dark-green thick leaves, can be overwintered, resists splitting.”

Why Grow Early Jersey Wakefield?

• 1840 American heirloom — over 185 years of proven performance; first released publicly 1868
• Distinctive conical pointed heads — pyramidal shape with pointed peak; 5–7 inches diameter x 10–15 inches tall
• Compact and space-efficient — few outer leaves; can be planted close; ideal for home gardens and early markets
• Yellows resistant and split resistant — reliable and dependable
• Early maturing — 60–75 days; one of the best very early cabbages
• Overwinters in the South — particularly adapted for Southern overwintering when small
• Open-pollinated heirloom — save seed year after year

Growing Notes

Sensitive to heat — plant early or grow in regions with cool summers. Start indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost; transplant when no threat of frost remains. Harden off seedlings before transplanting. Space plants 12–15 inches apart — compact habit permits close spacing. Plant in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently. For fall harvest, direct sow in late summer. In the South, can be overwintered in the field when small.

Harvest: Harvest at 60–75 days when heads are firm and solid. Best eaten fresh — not suited for long-term storage.

Packed and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden’s success.