How to Grow Savoy's Perfection Cabbage
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Savoy's Perfection Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. sabauda 'Savoy's Perfection'
vegetableSavoy's Perfection is a heirloom savoy cabbage variety known for its deeply wrinkled, crinkled dark green leaves and compact, dense head formation. This cold-hardy cultivar produces tender, flavorful heads with a delicate texture and mild cabbage flavor that improves after frost.
When should you plant Savoy's Perfection Cabbage in your zone?
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Example Savoy's Perfection Cabbage timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Savoy's Perfection Cabbage
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Savoy's Perfection Cabbage
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Savoy's Perfection Cabbage dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-8; particularly prized for cool-season growing and frost tolerance
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Get my Savoy's Perfection Cabbage timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves, developing first characteristic crinkled foliage
Maintain consistent moisture and warmth (60-70°F); provide bright light to prevent leggy growth; thin seedlings to strongest specimens
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksRapid leaf expansion with distinctive deeply wrinkled, dark green foliage becoming prominent
Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer; ensure consistent watering; monitor for cabbage loopers and other pests; apply row covers if needed
Head Formation
3-4 weeksLeaves begin curling inward, forming a compact, dense head with visible crinkled texture
Maintain steady moisture and nutrient supply; apply calcium (lime) if needed to prevent internal tip burn; reduce nitrogen to encourage head density
Head Maturation
2-3 weeksHead firms up and becomes increasingly dense; color deepens to dark green; outer leaves may yellow slightly
Continue regular watering; can withstand light frosts which improve flavor; monitor for splitting in wet conditions; harvest at proper firmness
Harvest Ready
Variable; can hold in field for weeksMature head is firm and compact with deeply wrinkled leaves; optimal 3-5 lb size typically achieved
Harvest before heavy rains to prevent splitting; can be left in field for some cold-hardening; store in cool conditions (32-40°F)
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick caterpillars; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); apply neem oil; use floating row covers on young plants
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Hand-pick eggs and caterpillars; use Bt spray; apply row covers; encourage parasitic wasps
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Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap; neem oil; reflective mulches; introduce ladybugs
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Row covers; Bt applications; reflective row covers; encourage natural predators
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Rotate crops; raise soil pH above 7.2; remove infected plants; sanitize tools; choose resistant varieties when possible
Uses
Fresh and cooked preparations
CulinaryThe tender, crinkled leaves of Savoy's Perfection are excellent raw in slaws and salads, or braised, sautéed, and added to soups, stews, and stir-fries. The delicate texture and mild flavor make it more refined than green cabbage varieties. [source]
Fermentation and preservation
CulinaryThe leaves' natural curves and tender texture make Savoy's Perfection ideal for sauerkraut, kimchi, and other fermented cabbage preparations, yielding a more delicate final product than head cabbage. [source]
Nutritional support and digestion
MedicinalRich in vitamin C, sulfur compounds, and glucosinolates with anti-inflammatory properties; traditionally used to support digestive health and may aid in anti-cancer nutrition strategies. [source]
Poultice and folk remedy
HouseholdHistorically, fresh savoy cabbage leaves have been applied as a poultice to bruises, inflammation, and minor wounds due to their cooling and potential anti-inflammatory properties. [source]
Beneficial insect attraction
WildlifeFlowering savoy plants attract pollinators and parasitic wasps that control pest insects; encouraging a few plants to bolt provides late-season food for beneficial insects. [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 when heads are firm and compact, typically 3-5 pounds; cut with a sharp knife at the base, leaving outer wrapper leaves; harvest in morning for best crispness; can be left in field for 2-3 weeks after maturity, and flavor actually improves after light frost; for storage, cut with 2-3 outer leaves intact and store at 32-40°F with 90-95% humidity (lasts 4-6 months)
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Savoy cabbage is the second-most nutritious cabbage variety after kale, with higher levels of glucosinolates and minerals due to its wrinkled leaf structure, which provides greater surface area for nutrient absorption.
- 🌱 Savoy's Perfection is an heirloom variety that has been passed down through generations since the 19th century, prized by gardeners for its superior cold tolerance and sweet flavor after frost.
- 🌱 The distinctive wrinkled, crinkled leaves of savoy cabbage are called 'savoyed' foliage, from the French word 'savoy,' and this trait developed naturally through centuries of selection in the Savoy region of the Alps.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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