Grow Early Flat Dutch cabbage: cool start, wide spacing, tight heads

Flat-topped, sweet, and sturdy, Early Flat Dutch rewards you if you give it cool temps, steady moisture, and some personal space. Treat it like the bossy cousin of lettuce: more food, more room, and zero tolerance for heat spikes or hungry caterpillars.

Background & common pitfalls

• Temperature timing. Cabbage prefers cool growing weather; heat can cause loose heads or bolting UMN Extension, RHS.
• Spacing is not optional. Crowding equals small, split-prone heads; wide spacing keeps heads dense and uniform Cornell.
• Pests arrive early. Cabbage worms, loopers, and flea beetles love brassicas; prevent rather than chase WSU Extension.

“Provide fertile soil and consistent moisture for solid, good-quality heads.” — RHS advisory RHS – Grow cabbage

Useful stat: Many extensions recommend transplant spacing around 18–24 in between plants with rows about 24–36 in apart; uniform moisture reduces splitting near maturity Cornell, UMN Extension.

Key terms

• Harden off: gradually acclimate seedlings to outdoor sun, wind, and temps before planting out.
• Split: cracking of mature heads from sudden water excess after a dry spell.
• Row cover: lightweight fabric that excludes insect pests while letting light and water in.

Seed-to-harvest framework (tailored to Early Flat Dutch)

Start seeds cool and bright

• Sow shallowly in fine mix; keep evenly moist and give strong light to prevent stretched seedlings UMN Extension.
• Grow on cool. After emergence, cooler air and bright light make stocky transplants RHS.
• Harden off for several days before transplanting outdoors.

Bed prep and planting

• Soil. Deep, fertile, well-drained with generous organic matter; aim for slightly acidic to neutral pH for nutrient uptake Cornell.
• Spacing. Set transplants about 18–24 in apart in rows 24–36 in apart. Early Flat Dutch forms broad, flat heads, so lean toward the wider end for largest heads UMN Extension.
• Mulch. Apply after the soil is settled to stabilize moisture and reduce weeds.

Care: water, feed, protect

• Water. Keep moisture even; avoid drought-then-deluge to prevent splits near maturity Cornell.
• Feeding. Moderate, steady nutrition supports dense heads without excess leafiness WSU Extension.
• Pest exclusion. Install row covers at transplanting to block moths and beetles. Hand-pick or use targeted controls if needed UMN Extension.

Harvest and handling

• Firmness test. Squeeze the head gently; harvest when it feels solid and the top is flat/level.
• Cut with a stem stub to store longer. Keep cool and dry.
• Splitting risk. If heavy rain is coming, harvest mature heads early to avoid cracks Cornell.

Tips & common mistakes

• Under-spacing. Tight spacing makes small, loose heads. Give it room.
• Skipping row cover. You’ll be feeding caterpillars. Cover first, spray later only if needed WSU Extension.
• Water swings. Uneven irrigation is the top cause of splitting; mulch and steady watering help Cornell.

FAQ

What makes Early Flat Dutch different?

It forms wide, slightly flattened heads with tender leaves and a sweet flavor profile. The growth habit likes wider spacing for best size and density Cornell.

Can I grow it in containers?

Yes, in large, deep pots with rich mix and consistent moisture. Space one plant per wide container and use row cover early for pest prevention UMN Extension.

How do I stop caterpillars?

Use insect-exclusion row cover from transplanting, inspect undersides of leaves, hand-pick, and only then consider targeted biologicals if recommended locally WSU Extension.

When do I harvest?

When heads feel firm and tight. If rain is forecast and heads are already full, harvest early to prevent splitting Cornell.

Key sources

• Growing cabbage – University of Minnesota Extension (umn.edu)
• Grow your own cabbage – Royal Horticultural Society (rhs.org.uk)
• Cabbage growing guide – Cornell Home Gardening (cornell.edu)
• Cole crops in the home garden – Washington State University Extension (wsu.edu)