Planting guide · zone 5a
When to plant cabbage in zone 5a
In zone 5a, the average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is Oct 1. Here is cabbage's whole year, counted from those dates.
Mar 20Start seeds indoorsSpring
Apr 24Transplant into the gardenSpring
Jun 18Start seeds indoorsFall
Jul 16Transplant into the gardenFall
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Soil & site
A heavy feeder — generous compost, steady moisture. Erratic watering after heads form makes them split.
Seedling care
Plant starts deep like broccoli. Closer spacing gives smaller, denser heads — 12 in is fine for fresh eating.
Growing notes
The most cold-tolerant of the big brassicas; mature heads shrug off the low 20s.
Harvest
Squeeze — a ready head is hard as a ball. Cut and leave the outer leaves; small secondary heads often follow.
Same crop, other zones
Cabbage in zone 5b →Cabbage in zone 6a →Cabbage in zone 6b →Cabbage in zone 7a →