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When to Plant Cabbage in Wallace 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.

Wallace County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.

At an elevation of 1,023 feet, Wallace County receives approximately 33.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Wallace County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
161 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
161 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Wallace County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 10

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 199 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cabbage needs ~980 GDD — county provides 1,972 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Wallace 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 July 31 Jul 31 โ€“ Aug 14
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 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

161 days

Growing Tips for Wallace 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 Wallace County, KS?

Wallace 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 Wallace County, KS?

Wallace County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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