Blog

When to Plant Cabbage in Wallowa County, OR

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.

Wallowa County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 1,240 feet, Wallowa County receives approximately 22.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Wallowa County, OR (Zone 5a) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
134 growing days
First Fall Frost September 22

Wallowa County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 8 Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Oct 9

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 706 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,100 GDD — county provides 1,842 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Wallowa County, OR

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 20
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 โ€“ May 25
Direct Sow April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 18
Fall Sowing July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Jul 28
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Sep 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

134 days

Growing Tips for Wallowa 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 Wallowa County, OR?

Wallowa County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wallowa County, OR?

Wallowa County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is September 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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