VEGETABLE Cabbage ‘Golden Acre’ Seeds
Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. capitata
Golden Acre is a compact, fast-maturing cabbage variety with tight, round heads and tender, pale green leaves. It’s a reliable performer in home gardens, producing uniform heads ideal for small spaces, raised beds, and containers. With its sweet, mild flavour and crisp texture, Golden Acre is perfect for coleslaw, stir-fries, steaming, or fermenting into sauerkraut. A great choice for gardeners in cooler New Zealand regions, especially during spring and autumn.
Why Grow Golden Acre Cabbage?
- Compact variety with round, dense heads—ideal for small gardens and containers.
- Matures quickly, making it suitable for short-season growing.
- Tender, sweet leaves excellent for fresh use or light cooking.
- Performs well in cooler climates with consistent results.
- Perfect for coleslaw, soups, stir-fries, and fermentation.
Growing Instructions
- Sow in trays or directly into well-prepared garden beds.
- Transplant seedlings when 4–5 true leaves develop, spacing appropriately for head growth.
- Water consistently to prevent splitting and encourage uniform head formation.
- Use crop rotation to avoid soil-borne diseases common in brassicas.
- Mulch to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture during dry spells.
Plant Details:
Plant Type: Cool-season biennial grown as an annual. Compact head-forming cabbage, 20–30 cm tall.
Sowing Information:
- Germination: 5 – 10 days
- Depth: Sow seeds 0.5 – 1 cm deep
- Position: Full sun
- Sow Where: Seed trays for transplanting or direct sow into fertile garden beds
- Soil Type: Rich, well-drained soil with plenty of compost; pH 6.5 – 7.5
- Spacing: 30 – 40 cm apart
When to Sow Cabbage in New Zealand:
| NZ Region | Sowing Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| North Island – Upper (e.g. Auckland, Northland) | Autumn to early spring | Best sown in cooler months; use shade cloth in hot weather |
| North Island – Lower (e.g. Wellington, Taranaki) | Late summer to spring | Consistent moisture improves head quality |
| South Island – Northern (e.g. Nelson, Marlborough) | Spring and autumn | Ideal conditions for rapid, uniform growth |
| South Island – Central & Southern (e.g. Canterbury, Otago) | Spring and early summer | Sow after last frost; protect seedlings from slugs |
Growing Tips for New Zealand Gardeners:
- Apply liquid seaweed or balanced fertiliser every 2–3 weeks to support leaf and head development.
- Watch for white cabbage butterfly and aphids—use fine mesh or neem oil as needed.
- Keep soil evenly moist to prevent heads from splitting or becoming tough.
- Rotate crops to reduce clubroot and other soil-borne brassica diseases.
Harvest:
Harvest heads when firm and well-formed, usually 65–75 days from transplant. Cut at the base with a sharp knife. Remove spent plants promptly and compost healthy residues.
