Brassica oleracea (Capitata Group) 'January King'
vegetableJanuary King is a traditional overwintering cabbage with handsome, slightly savoyed blue-green outer leaves flushed with rose-purple, wrapped around a dense, well-flavored head. Bred to stand in the garden through the depths of winter, it is extremely cold hardy, and a touch of frost actually improves it, sweetening the leaves. Sown in spring and left to mature slowly through the season, it provides crisp, fresh cabbage for harvest from late fall right through winter, long after summer cabbages are gone - a beautiful and practical crop for extending the homegrown season into the cold months.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 2 days
Harvest
~160 days
Difficulty
medium
Lifecycle
biennial
Leaves year 1, flowers year 2
Spacing
18-24 in. apart
Planting Depth
Seed 1/2 in.; transplant up to the first leaves
Soil pH
6.5-7.5
Soil Type
Rich, firm, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 5 – 9
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
Side-dress mid-season
Fertilizer
Balanced with steady nitrogen
Grow January King in full sun in rich, firm soil limed toward neutral to deter clubroot - firm ground is important for solid heads. Start seed in mid to late spring and transplant 18 to 24 in. apart into well-prepared soil, giving the plants the whole season to develop. Keep evenly watered and side-dress as they grow. Because it is a long-season winter crop, it occupies the bed from spring until you cut it in late fall or winter rather than being a quick fall sowing. It withstands hard frost; in the coldest zones a little mulch or fleece protects the standing heads. Net against cabbage worms and pigeons.
Start seeds indoors
Mar 4
Transplant outdoors
Apr 1
Projected first harvest
Sep 8
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Cover plants with insect netting, hand-pick caterpillars, and apply Bt if they take hold
Inspect leaf undersides, remove larvae, and use netting and Bt as for cabbage worms
Wash colonies from the leaves and crevices and support ladybugs and lacewings
Lime to near-neutral pH, improve drainage, and practice a long brassica rotation to avoid this persistent soil disease
Cut January King heads as needed from late fall onward, once they feel firm and solid when squeezed; a light frost beforehand sweetens the flavor. Slice the head from the stalk with a sharp knife, leaving the outer leaves and roots in place - the plant may form small secondary sprouts you can also use. The standing heads hold in the garden for weeks in cold weather, acting as living storage, so harvest as you need them rather than all at once. They also keep for several weeks in a cool place once cut.
Cabbage is an excellent low-calorie source of vitamins C and K, fiber, and beneficial glucosinolate compounds, and the purple-tinged leaves of January King add extra anthocyanin antioxidants. Crisp and well-flavored, it is used raw in slaws and salads, cooked in soups, braises, and stir-fries, or fermented into sauerkraut and kimchi. Its standout trait is seasonal - supplying fresh, frost-sweetened cabbage through late fall and winter.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.