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When to Plant Cabbage in Rawlins 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.

Rawlins County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 795 feet, Rawlins County receives approximately 34.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Rawlins County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Rawlins County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (42 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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 201 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 2,470 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Rawlins County, KS

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 โ€“ May 15
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Fall Sowing August 1 Aug 1 โ€“ Aug 15
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Aug 28

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 Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

162 days

Growing Tips for Rawlins 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 Rawlins County, KS?

Rawlins County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rawlins County, KS?

Rawlins County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Rawlins County 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 Rawlins County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.