When to plant cabbage in zone 4a — planting calendar

Growing SeasonZone 4a

Last frost ~May 7First frost ~Oct 13Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUNJULAUG

Start indoors Mar 26 · Transplant Apr 16 · First harvest Jun 25 · Wrap by Jul 23

Last spring frostMay 7

Start seeds indoorsMar 26

Transplant outApr 16

First harvestJun 25

Last harvestJul 23

Fall succession sowJul 21

First fall frostOct 13

Why these dates work in zone 4a

Zone 4a's last spring frost averages May 7 and first fall frost Oct 13 — about 159 frost-free days. Cabbage tolerates light frost, so you can set plants out ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. Starting seeds indoors 6 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Jul 21 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does cabbage take to grow in zone 4a?

Cabbage matures in about 70–120 days from transplanting. In zone 4a that means setting plants out around Apr 16 and first picking around Jun 25.

Will cabbage survive frost in zone 4a?

Yes — cabbage tolerates light frost. In zone 4a you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around May 7) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 13).

Can I plant a second crop of cabbage in zone 4a?

Yes — in zone 4a there's time for a fall sowing around Jul 21 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full cabbage growing guide →

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