Blog

When to Plant Cabbage in Jackson County, CO

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.

Jackson County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is June 13 and the first fall frost is September 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 83 days.

At an elevation of 5,388 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 20.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Jackson County, CO (Zone 3b) Very short season
83 days
Last Spring Frost June 13
83 growing days
First Fall Frost September 4

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 27 Transplant: Jun 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Oct 5
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 2 Transplant: Jun 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Oct 10
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 14 Transplant: Jun 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 27 – Oct 22

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cabbage needs ~800 GDD — county provides 830 GDD Good fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, CO

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Transplant Outdoors June 13 Jun 13 โ€“ Jun 27
Direct Sow June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jun 27
Fall Sowing June 12 Jun 12 โ€“ Jun 26
Harvest August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Oct 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Start Indoors
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 3b

Growing Season

83 days

Growing Tips for Jackson County

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 Jackson County, CO?

Jackson County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of June 13. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, CO?

Jackson County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is June 13 and first fall frost is September 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jackson County gardeners in Zone 3b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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