Planting guide · zone 6b
When to plant cabbage in zone 6b
In zone 6b, the average last spring frost is Apr 21 and the first fall frost is Oct 22. Here is cabbage's whole year, counted from those dates.
Feb 24Start seeds indoorsSpring
Mar 31Transplant into the gardenSpring
Jul 9Start seeds indoorsFall
Aug 6Transplant 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 7a →Cabbage in zone 7b →