300 Seeds Matsushima Chinese Cabbage Napa Type Heirloom Cool Season

Matsushima Chinese Cabbage is a classic napa-type variety prized for its broad, tightly folded heads and crisp, mild-flavored leaves. It is a dependable cool-season crop that performs well in fall and spring plantings, forming uniform, barrel-shaped heads with tender hearts and pale green wrapper leaves. Its vigorous growth and refined texture make it a favorite for gardeners seeking a traditional Asian cabbage with excellent fresh-eating quality.

In the kitchen, Matsushima is versatile and mild, suited to stir-fries, soups, braises, kimchi, pickling, and fresh salads. The leaves hold their shape when cooked and add a sweet, delicate crunch when raw. In the garden, it grows best in cool weather and can be succession-sown for a steady harvest; heads are typically ready to cut once firm and well-filled. Harvest promptly when mature for peak tenderness and flavor.
Species: Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis
Variety: Matsushima
Type: Biennial grown as annual
Plant_Habit: Upright, forming dense barrel-shaped heads
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Rich, well-drained, moisture-retentive loam
Days_to_Harvest: 60-75 days
Zones: 3-11, grown as a cool-season annual
Germination: 7-14 days at 65-75F
Sowing: Start indoors 4-6 weeks before transplanting or direct sow in cool weather
Spacing: 12-18 inches between plants, 18-24 inches between rows
Notes: Best planted for spring and fall crops; avoid mid-summer heat for firm head formation