Blog

When to Plant Cabbage in Osage 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.

Osage County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 504 feet, Osage County receives approximately 28.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Osage County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Osage County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 23

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 683 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,340 GDD — county provides 3,283 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Osage County, KS

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 22
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 19
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Aug 30
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Aug 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July 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 6a

Growing Season

196 days

Growing Tips for Osage 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 Osage County, KS?

Osage County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Osage County, KS?

Osage County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Osage County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Osage County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.