Cabbage 'Kalibos'

Brassica oleracea

• Exceptional sweet flavour, enhanced by winter cold.
• Stunning magenta, conical heads with glowing pink veins.
• Ideal for late autumn and winter harvests.
• Holds exceptionally well in the field and coolroom.
• Open-pollinated Eastern European heirloom.

'Kalibos' is an elegant Eastern European heirloom that combines outstanding flavour with remarkable beauty. Its dense, conical heads develop a rich magenta colour highlighted by glowing hot-pink veins that brighten the winter garden. Naturally sweet and crisp, this is one of the finest cabbages we've grown for fresh eating and cooking alike.

Sow in mid-July for a November harvest, or sow in January to early February for autumn and winter harvests. The dense 1.2–1.5kg heads rise proudly above lush purple-red foliage, with their sweetness becoming even more pronounced after exposure to cold weather.

In our Southern Victorian fields, we selected plants for early maturity, head density, shape, colour, exceptional flavour and their ability to shed winter rain. The result is a strain that holds beautifully in the field through winter while also storing exceptionally well in the coolroom.

The sweet, crunchy leaves are delicious shredded into winter slaws with citrus and fresh herbs, slowly braised with balsamic vinegar and star anise, or naturally fermented into vibrant sauerkraut. Even after months in the field, the heads remain firm, sweet and full of flavour, making 'Kalibos' as practical as it is beautiful.

Our strain began with seed improved and stewarded by Fruition Seeds and has since been further selected under Southern Victorian growing conditions.

PLEASE NOTE - Seed has been sized to allow for use with a vacuum seeder or a direct seeding roller.

Certified Demeter Biodynamic and Certified Organic

SEED COUNT: 60 seeds, 150 seeds, 4 grams approx.
Seed Specifications: Brassica oleracea 170-335 seeds/gram (average 225)
Germination: 60,150sc Lot # 16051 98% May 2026
.....................4grms Lot # 11051 99% May 2026

Seed Raising, Growing and Harvest Information

TRANSPLANT (recommended) - Sow 2 seeds per cell- thinning to one. Tansplant at 4-5 weeks old. ‘Kalibos’ cabbage grows most sweet and tender in cool temps in biologically rich soil. Use row cover to protect from cabbage and diamond back moth.

Growing Notes: This is a long-season winter cabbage. In regions where winter days are short and growth slows significantly, sow seedlings early so they can establish before winter. Ideally, transplant 6–10 weeks before growth slows, aiming for a broad, leafy rosette by early winter. At this stage, the plant should not have formed a heart—this is normal. Once day length and temperatures increase in late winter and spring, the plant will begin heading.

In our SE Victorian climate, we sow in January–February, transplant in February–March, and harvest from June–August.

We sow again from early June - late July for early-late spring harvesting .

Please note: The listed transplant-to-maturity (DTM) period assumes active growth and does not account for the extended slowdown that occurs through winter.

DIRECT SEED- Sow 3-4 seeds 45cm apart with 60cm between rows; thin to one plant per 45cm.