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When to Plant Cabbage in Washington County, KY

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.

Washington County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 204 days.

At an elevation of 2,281 feet, Washington County receives approximately 43.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Washington County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
204 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
204 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Washington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21

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 205 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,460 GDD — county provides 3,723 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Washington County, KY

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 22
Direct Sow March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 15
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Sep 3
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 โ€“ Aug 5

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 Fall Sowing
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 6b

Growing Season

204 days

Growing Tips for Washington 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 Washington County, KY?

Washington County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Washington County, KY?

Washington County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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