How to Grow Cabbage 'January King'

Cabbage 'January King'

Brassica oleracea var. capitata 'January King'

vegetable

January King is a cold-hardy, loose-leaf cabbage variety with distinctive purple-tinged outer leaves and a white-green interior. Bred for late-season and winter harvesting, it excels in cool climates and can withstand hard frosts. This heirloom variety is prized for its mild, slightly sweet flavor and exceptional storage ability.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates partial shade in hot climates

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Water: Consistent moisture; 1-1.5 inches per week. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

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Spacing: 18-24 inches

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Days to maturity: 90-120 days from transplant; 150-180 from seed

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Planting depth: Seeds 0.25-0.5 inches deep; transplants at same depth as original container

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost Well-rotted manure Balanced NPK fertilizer (10-10-10 or similar) Lime if soil is below pH 6.0

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-8; particularly excellent in zones 5-7 for fall and winter harvest

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b

Growth Stages

Seedling (Weeks 1-3)

3 weeks

Small leaves with 2-4 true leaves visible; delicate appearance with thin stems

Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily. Thin seedlings to prevent crowding. Maintain temperatures 60-70°F.

Vegetative/Transplant Stage (Weeks 4-8)

4-5 weeks

Develops 6-10 true leaves; sturdy growth with thickening stems; ready for hardening off at week 6

Gradually expose to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. Begin fertilizing with balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Monitor for early pests like flea beetles.

Establishment (Weeks 1-4 after transplant)

4 weeks

Plants establish root systems; leaf formation accelerates; loose rosette of leaves developing

Water deeply 2-3 times per week. Apply mulch around base. Side-dress with compost or balanced fertilizer at week 3. Watch for cabbage worms and aphids.

Head Formation (Weeks 5-10 after transplant)

6 weeks

Leaves begin to overlap and form a loose head; characteristic purple-tinged outer leaves become prominent; interior leaves pale green

Increase watering slightly. Apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer every 3 weeks. Continue pest monitoring. Remove any yellowed outer leaves. This variety forms looser heads than other types.

Harvest Ready (Weeks 11+ after transplant)

2-4+ weeks

Head reaches full size (3-5 lbs typically); outer leaves distinctly purple; head feels firm but retains slight give; can tolerate hard frosts

Reduce watering slightly before harvest to improve storage quality. January King can be harvested partially or left in ground for extended winter storage in cold climates. Does not need to be harvested immediately at maturity.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Beets Chard Onions Garlic Dill Chamomile Celery Potatoes Thyme Nasturtium

Avoid planting near:

Tomatoes Fennel Kohlrabi Mustard Pole beans Strawberries Broccoli Cauliflower

Common Pests

Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray, row covers, handpicking, or neem oil. Plant in fall to avoid peak populations.
Bt spray, neem oil, insecticidal soap, or handpicking affected leaves. Encourage parasitic wasps.
Row covers when young, neem oil, spinosad, or diatomaceous earth. Remove debris that harbors overwintering beetles.
Strong water spray, insecticidal soap, neem oil, or introduce ladybugs. Reflective mulch can deter.
Practice crop rotation (3-4 year break from Brassicas). Raise soil pH above 7.0. Avoid planting in wet, poorly-drained areas. Remove infected plants.

Uses

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Fresh slaw & salads

Culinary

The mild, slightly sweet flavor and tender purple outer leaves make January King excellent raw in coleslaws, salads, and as a crunchy side dish. The leaf structure provides visual interest to fresh dishes. [source]

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Braising & roasting

Culinary

Hearty enough for braising, stir-frying, and roasting with olive oil and garlic. The loosely-formed head makes it easy to separate leaves for varied cooking methods. [source]

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Cruciferous vegetable health benefits

Medicinal

As a brassica, January King contains glucosinolates and sulforaphane, compounds studied for anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, and fiber. [source]

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Long-term storage & winter food security

Household

Exceptional storage quality makes it ideal for root cellaring, cold storage, and extending the harvest season into winter months without refrigeration. [source]

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Pollinator and beneficial insect support

Wildlife

If allowed to bolt and flower (in spring after overwintering), cabbage flowers attract bees, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps that control garden pests. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest in late fall or winter (October-February depending on zone) after exposure to light frost, which improves sweetness. Cut heads at the base with a sharp knife when firm but slightly yielding to pressure. January King stores exceptionally well—up to 4-5 months in cool (32-40°F), humid conditions. Can be left in the ground in mild climates and harvested as needed, or harvested with roots intact and stored in cool cellars or root storage pits.

Fun Facts

🌱 January King was developed in the 1960s specifically for cold-hardy winter harvesting in the UK; the name reflects its ability to provide fresh cabbage through January in temperate climates.
🌱 This variety's purple-tinged outer leaves are not a sign of disease—they're a natural response to cold temperatures and contain anthocyanin pigments that intensify as frost exposure increases.
🌱 January King can tolerate temperatures down to 15-20°F (-9 to -7°C) after hardening, making it one of the hardiest cabbage varieties for late-season and winter production.

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