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When to Plant Cabbage in Greeley 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.

Greeley County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 165 days.

At an elevation of 1,040 feet, Greeley County receives approximately 30.7 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.

Greeley County, NE (Zone 4b) Moderate season
165 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
165 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Greeley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 321 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~980 GDD — county provides 2,021 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Greeley County, NE

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Mar 30
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Fall Sowing July 17 Jul 17 โ€“ Jul 31
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Aug 24

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August 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 4b

Growing Season

165 days

Growing Tips for Greeley 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 Greeley County, NE?

Greeley County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greeley County, NE?

Greeley County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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