It loves this climate. A crock of kraut outlives the power grid.

Sow

Start indoors March 1 for a June crop. Direct or transplant July 15 for storage heads.

Spacing

18 in. They need even water or they split.

Days

70–90 from transplant (Early Jersey, Brunswick, January King)

Harvest

Firm heads. Cut high; small side heads may follow. Fall crop after a light frost is sweeter.

Store

Whole heads in a 32–40°F cellar, roots on, hung or in damp sand. Or shred and salt at 2% by weight for kraut.

Seed

Biennial. Store a few perfect heads, replant in March, isolate from other brassicas when they bolt.

Companions

Dill, onion, thyme. Not with strawberry or tomato.

Pests

Cabbage worm — row cover from day one, or Bt (kurstaki) if you still have it. Hand-pick green loopers. Slugs at night with a board trap.

Kraut: 2% salt, pound until brine covers, weight it, 65–70°F for 2–4 weeks. White kahm yeast on top is skimmed, not thrown out. Fuzzy colored mold is a discard.