Red Ball

Start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, plant out 2 weeks after frost. Direct sow as soon as ground can be worked. For fall harvest, transplant 17 weeks before first frost, without additional protection. In a hoophouse, you can plant 2-3 weeks later. Sensitive to heat and standing water. Use floating row covers for the first 4-6 weeks for cabbage root maggot. Mulch in summer to keep plants cool and moist in heat. Fall planted crops develop best flavor after light frost. Do not plant in the same location more than once every 3–4 years. To encourage upper sprouts by pinch growing tip in late summer when bottom sprout is as big as an average thumb. Harvest from the bottom when they are 1-1.5” in diameter. Soil pH 5.6-7.8. Hardiness zones 4-7. Biennial.

Days from maturity calculated from the date of seeding. Average 7,000 seeds per ounce. Average 35M seeds per acre. Federal germination standard: 70%. Usual seed life: 3-4 years. Isolation distance for seed saving: 1/2 mile.

Planting Depth 1/4-1/2”
Soil Temp. Germ. 55-75˚F
Days to Germ. 5-10
Plant Spacing 18-24”
Row Spacing 30-36”
Days To Maturity 150
Full Sun, Moist Well Drained