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When to Plant Cabbage in Deuel County, NE

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.

Deuel County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 156 days.

At an elevation of 1,096 feet, Deuel County receives approximately 22.7 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.

Deuel County, NE (Zone 4b) Moderate season
156 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
156 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Deuel County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 15

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.

Soil Compatibility in Deuel County

How your county's soil matches Cabbage's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6โ€“7.4) is within Cabbage's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Deuel County is excellent for Cabbage โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Cabbage.

How to Plant Cabbage

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cabbage

3
successive plantings in your 156-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 29 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 15.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 481 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 1,911 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Deuel County, NE

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 18
Direct Sow April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 18
Fall Sowing July 15 Jul 15 โ€“ Jul 29
Harvest July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Aug 31

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 Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.9"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

156 days in Deuel County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Deuel County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after May 04 in Deuel County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Cabbage in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Deuel County receives only 23" of rain annually. Cabbage needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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 Deuel County, NE?

Deuel County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Deuel County, NE?

Deuel County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Deuel County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Deuel County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.