History
Copenhagen Market Early Cabbage is one of the most celebrated heirloom cabbage varieties in the world — a Danish-bred classic that has been a staple of home gardens and market farms since its introduction in the early 1900s. Developed in Denmark and quickly adopted by American gardeners, Copenhagen Market became the gold standard for early-season cabbage, prized for its compact round heads, tender leaves, and exceptional flavor. Its early maturity made it a favorite for gardeners eager to harvest fresh cabbage before the summer heat set in, and its reliability across a wide range of climates cemented its place as one of the most trusted heirloom cabbages ever grown. Open-pollinated and non-GMO, Copenhagen Market Early has been passed down through generations of gardeners who value its dependability, flavor, and classic garden character.
Plant Profile
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Days to Maturity: 60–65 days from transplant
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Head Size: 6–8 inches in diameter, 3–5 pounds — compact, round, and uniform
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Leaf Color: Bright blue-green outer leaves with a pale, tightly packed interior
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Plant Spread: 18–24 inches — compact and well-suited for raised beds
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Plant Type: Open-pollinated, non-GMO heirloom brassica
Flavor Profile
Copenhagen Market Early delivers the quintessential fresh cabbage flavor — mild, sweet, and tender with a crisp, juicy texture that sets it apart from storage cabbages. The interior leaves are pale, tightly packed, and remarkably tender for a cabbage of its size, with a clean, slightly sweet flavor that shines raw in slaws and salads or cooked in soups, braises, and stir-fries. Cool weather intensifies the sweetness as starches convert to sugars — spring and fall harvests of Copenhagen Market are noticeably sweeter and more flavorful than summer-harvested heads. This is the cabbage that reminds you why fresh, garden-grown vegetables are always worth growing yourself.
Growth Type & Harvest Yields
Copenhagen Market Early is a compact, early-maturing cabbage that produces uniform, round heads averaging 3–5 pounds each. Its compact plant spread of 18–24 inches makes it well-suited for raised beds and smaller garden spaces. In ideal conditions, a 10-foot row will yield 6–8 solid heads of fresh cabbage. The variety performs best in cool weather — spring and fall plantings produce the sweetest, most flavorful heads. Succession planting in early spring and again in midsummer for a fall harvest provides two productive seasons of fresh cabbage from a single garden bed.
Disease Resistance
- Good tolerance to cold — withstands light frost and improves in flavor after cold exposure
- Moderate resistance to cabbage yellows in typical garden conditions
- Well-drained soil and good air circulation reduce risk of black rot and fungal issues
- Tip: Rotate brassicas annually — avoid planting cabbage in the same bed more than once every 3 years to reduce soil-borne disease pressure
Growing Tips & Planting Dimensions
- Spacing: Transplant 18–24 inches apart in rows 24–30 inches apart for full-sized heads
- Sow depth: Start seeds ¼ inch deep indoors; transplant when seedlings have 4–6 true leaves
- Germination: 5–10 days at soil temps of 45–85°F — cabbage germinates readily in cool conditions
- Full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily; tolerates partial shade in hot climates
- Requires consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil — consistent moisture prevents head splitting
- Side-dress with compost or balanced fertilizer at transplant and again when heads begin to form
- Harvest promptly when heads feel firm and solid — overripe heads will split
When to Plant
Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost date for a spring crop, or 10–12 weeks before your first fall frost for a fall harvest. Transplant outdoors when nighttime temperatures stay above 25°F — cabbage is frost-hardy and can handle light freezes. Direct sowing outdoors is possible but transplanting gives more reliable results and better head uniformity. Find your frost dates and hardiness zone at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Companion Plants & Mutual Benefits
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Dill & Chamomile — attract beneficial insects that prey on cabbage worms and aphids
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Onions & Garlic — strong scents deter cabbage moths and aphids
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Nasturtiums — act as a trap crop for aphids, drawing them away from cabbage
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Celery — said to repel cabbage white butterflies when planted nearby
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Avoid planting near: strawberries, tomatoes, and other brassicas in the same season — brassicas compete heavily and share disease pressure
How to Enjoy
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Fresh Coleslaw: Shred thinly and toss with a creamy or vinegar-based dressing for a classic summer side
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Braised: Slow-braise wedges in butter, stock, and herbs for a rich, tender side dish
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Stuffed Cabbage Rolls: Blanch whole leaves and fill with seasoned meat and rice for a hearty, traditional meal
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Soups & Stews: Add chopped cabbage to vegetable soups, bean stews, and braises for body and sweetness
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Fermented: Shred and salt for homemade sauerkraut — Copenhagen Market's tender leaves ferment beautifully
Why Gardeners Love Copenhagen Market Early Cabbage
- One of the earliest and most reliable heirloom cabbages — ready in just 60–65 days from transplant
- Compact, uniform round heads — perfect for raised beds and smaller garden spaces
- Mild, sweet, tender flavor that fresh-harvested cabbage delivers like nothing from the store
- Frost-hardy and cool-season adapted — thrives in spring and fall when many crops struggle
- Open-pollinated and non-GMO — save your own seeds year after year
- Versatile in the kitchen — equally at home raw, cooked, or fermented
Harvest Tips
- Harvest when heads feel firm and solid when squeezed — do not wait for heads to crack or split
- Cut at the base with a sharp knife, leaving a few outer leaves to protect the head
- After harvest, leave the root in the ground — secondary small heads will often sprout from the stump
- Store harvested heads in a cool, humid environment — refrigerator crisper or root cellar — for up to 2 months
- Harvest in the morning for the crispest, most flavorful heads
Order Today
Add Copenhagen Market Early Heirloom Cabbage Seeds to your garden this season and grow one of the world's most beloved early cabbages — sweet, tender, and perfectly suited for spring and fall gardens of every size. Choose your pack size and begin to grow.
