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When to Plant Cabbage in Valdez-Cordova, AK

Cabbage is a versatile cool-season crop that forms dense, leafy heads in green, red, or savoy varieties. It is a staple for coleslaw, sauerkraut, and many global cuisines.

Valdez-Cordova, Alaska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.

At an elevation of 2,888 feet, Valdez-Cordova receives approximately 38.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 66ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Valdez-Cordova, AK (Zone 5b) Short season
146 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
146 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Valdez-Cordova Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 30 Transplant: Jun 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 1

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~0 GDD — county provides 0 GDD May not mature

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Valdez-Cordova, AK

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 โ€“ May 26
Direct Sow April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 19
Fall Sowing July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Aug 10
Harvest July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Sep 8

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

146 days

Growing Tips for Valdez-Cordova

Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost. Space plants 18-24 inches apart. Keep soil evenly moist to prevent heads from splitting.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cabbage in Valdez-Cordova, AK?

Valdez-Cordova is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Valdez-Cordova, AK?

Valdez-Cordova, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Valdez-Cordova gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Valdez-Cordova, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.