Brassica oleracea var. capitata.

One of the great classics of the early head cabbage — introduced in 1929 by the English seed house Sutton's Seeds, and very quickly adopted by North American gardeners looking for a reliable, compact and above all early variety. Where most traditional head cabbages take 80-100 days to form their head properly, Golden Acre produces it in just 60-65 days after transplant, making it one of the very first fresh cabbages of the season — ready to harvest in July when later varieties are still forming their hearts.

A round, tightly closed head 1-1.5 kg, glossy medium green, with crunchy, mild, lightly sweet flesh — particularly successful in a creamy mayonnaise coleslaw, in fresh spring rolls, in quick homemade kimchi, or simply finely shredded with carrot, red onion and an old-style vinaigrette. A compact plant (barely 30-40 cm tall) that takes little space in the garden, making it a choice variety for small spaces, raised beds, or intensive rotations where you want to free up ground quickly for a second crop. Good field-holding too: less prone to splitting than many other varieties when harvest is delayed a bit — a precious quality for the amateur gardener who doesn't always have time to pick at the perfect moment.

Grower's tip: Start indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting (April in Québec for an early summer harvest), or possible by direct-sowing in early June for a late-summer harvest. Like all cabbages, susceptible to the cabbage worm and other crucifer pests — insect netting from transplanting on, or wait until late August for a fall sowing when insect populations drop. Soil rich in organic matter, regular watering without ups and downs (water stress during head formation causes splitting). Harvest when the head feels firm to the touch by gently pressing the top with your palm: if it yields a little, it's not ready; if it resists firmly, that's the moment.

• Open-pollinated. Biennial, flowers in the second year. Insect-pollinated; crosses with all other Brassica oleracea (broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, etc.) — isolate rigorously for seed saving.
• Height: 30-40 cm.
• Maturity: 60-65 days after transplant.
• Exposure: full sun.
• Rich, deep, well-drained, slightly alkaline soil (pH 6.5-7.5). Space plants 40-45 cm apart.
• Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost (April in Québec) for early summer harvest, or direct-sow in early June for late-summer harvest. Strict rotation with other crucifers (3-4 years).