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When to Plant Cabbage in Gosper 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.

Gosper County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 823 feet, Gosper County receives approximately 33.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Gosper County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Gosper County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (36 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.

Soil Compatibility in Gosper County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.5) is within Cabbage's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Cabbage.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.7%). Annual compost additions will help Cabbage.

How to Plant Cabbage

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

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cabbage

3
successive plantings in your 157-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 28 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 28.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 383 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,220 GDD — county provides 2,394 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Gosper County, NE

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 9
Fall Sowing July 28 Jul 28 โ€“ Aug 11
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Aug 29

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.9"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

157 days in Gosper County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Gosper County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after May 02 in Gosper 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.

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 Gosper County, NE?

Gosper County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gosper County, NE?

Gosper County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Gosper County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Gosper County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.