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When to Plant Cabbage in Crook County, WY

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.

Crook County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.

At an elevation of 8,060 feet, Crook County receives approximately 24.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Crook County, WY (Zone 4a) Short season
140 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
140 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Crook County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 17 Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 25

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 Crook County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3โ€“7.9) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). 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

2
successive plantings in your 140-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 23 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 09.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 233 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Cabbage

Cabbage needs approximately 0.9 inches of water per week (3.9" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Cabbage Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 2.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 3.9" 3.1" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 3.9" 1.6" 2.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 3.9" 2.1" 1.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 3.9" 2.5" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 3.9" 2.2" 1.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 3.9" 2.3" 1.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Crook County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cabbage Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Cabbage needs ~920 GDD — county provides 1,610 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Crook County, WY

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 โ€“ May 28
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Sep 10
Fall Sowing July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Jul 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

140 days in Crook County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Crook County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after May 14 in Crook 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.

Crook County receives only 25" 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cabbage in Crook County, WY?

Crook County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Crook County, WY?

Crook County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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