When to Plant Cabbage in Iowa
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.
Iowa spans USDA hardiness zones 4b, 5a, 5b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.
Find Your County
Click your county for exact Cabbage planting dates based on your local frost dates.
Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.
Cabbage Planting Calendar for Iowa
▸ Zone 4b ~155 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: May 1 · First frost: October 3 · 155 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 1 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Direct Sow | April 24 | Apr 24 – May 15 |
| Fall Sowing | July 11 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Harvest | July 3 | Jul 3 – Aug 28 |
▸ Zone 5a ~166 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: April 25 · First frost: October 8 · 166 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 25 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Direct Sow | April 11 | Apr 11 – May 2 |
| Fall Sowing | July 30 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Harvest | June 27 | Jun 27 – Aug 22 |
▸ Zone 5b ~178 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: April 18 · First frost: October 13 · 178 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 18 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Direct Sow | April 4 | Apr 4 – Apr 25 |
| Fall Sowing | August 4 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Harvest | June 20 | Jun 20 – Aug 15 |
Growing Tips for Iowa
Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost. Space plants 18-24 inches apart. Keep soil evenly moist to prevent heads from splitting.
Cabbage in Other States
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Alberta
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- British Columbia
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Manitoba
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Brunswick
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Ontario
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Rhode Island
- Saskatchewan
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Yukon
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Cabbage in Iowa?
Planting dates for Cabbage in Iowa depend on your USDA zone. Iowa spans zones 4b, 5a, 5b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.
What zone is Iowa for planting?
Iowa contains USDA hardiness zones 4b, 5a, 5b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.