Blog

When to Plant Cabbage in Decatur County, KS

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.

Decatur County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 160 days.

At an elevation of 840 feet, Decatur County receives approximately 30.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Decatur County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
160 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
160 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Decatur County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 9

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 849 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Cabbage needs ~1,220 GDD — county provides 2,440 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Decatur County, KS

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 7
Fall Sowing July 29 Jul 29 โ€“ Aug 12
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Aug 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

160 days

Growing Tips for Decatur 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 Decatur County, KS?

Decatur County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Decatur County, KS?

Decatur County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Decatur County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Decatur County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.