When to plant cabbage in zone 5a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 5A

Growing SeasonZone 5a

Last frost ~May 10First frost ~Oct 1Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUNJULAUG

Start indoors Mar 29 · Transplant Apr 19 · First harvest Jun 28 · Wrap by Jul 26

Last spring frostMay 10

Start seeds indoorsMar 29

Transplant outApr 19

First harvestJun 28

Last harvestJul 26

Fall succession sowJul 9

First fall frostOct 1

Why these dates work in zone 5a

Zone 5a's last spring frost averages May 10 and first fall frost Oct 1 — about 144 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 9 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does cabbage take to grow in zone 5a?

Cabbage matures in about 70–120 days from transplanting. In zone 5a that means setting plants out around Apr 19 and first picking around Jun 28.

Will cabbage survive frost in zone 5a?

Yes — cabbage tolerates light frost. In zone 5a you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around May 10) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 1).

Can I plant a second crop of cabbage in zone 5a?

Yes — in zone 5a there's time for a fall sowing around Jul 9 for a second harvest before frost.

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