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When to Plant Cabbage in USDA Zone 1b

Zone 1b Zone 1b May

May in the garden — Zone 1b

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Download your personalised Zone 1b planting plan →
Cabbage

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.

In Zone 1b, the average last spring frost is around June 7 and the first fall frost is around August 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 79 days.

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Zone 1b Very short season
79 days
Last Spring Frost June 7
79 growing days
First Fall Frost August 25

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Zone 1b

Where Is USDA Zone 1b?

The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 1b. Click any state to see the Cabbage planting schedule for that location.

Prints a clean, ink-friendly version without maps or navigation.

Cabbage Planting Calendar — Zone 1b

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 26 Apr 26 – May 10
Transplant Outdoors June 7 Jun 7 – Jun 21
Direct Sow May 31 May 31 – Jun 21
Harvest August 9 Aug 9 – Oct 4
Fall Sowing June 2 Jun 2 – Jun 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing
July
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November
December

Free Zone 1b Planting Calendar PDF

Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 1b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.

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Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · Moderate — regular watering

Days to Maturity

60–100 days

Soil pH

6 – 7.5

Zone Temperature Range

°F to °F average annual minimum

Growing Season

79 days (Zone average)

Planting Specifications

Planting Depth1 inches
Plant Spacing15 inches apart
Row Spacing24 inches between rows

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Zone

Zone has a short growing season (~79 days). Start Cabbage indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.

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
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Saving Cabbage Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

🌱
Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

🧪
Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

🏷️
Garden Plant Markers $6-12

Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.

Related Plants

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cabbage in Zone 1b?

In Zone 1b, plan your Cabbage planting around the average last frost date of June 7. Start seeds indoors around April 26. Direct sow outdoors around May 31. Transplant seedlings around June 7.

Can Cabbage grow in Zone 1b?

Yes, Cabbage can grow well in Zone 1b, hardy in USDA zones 1a through 10b. Zone 1b has a growing season of approximately 79 days, which is sufficient for Cabbage (60-100 days to maturity).

When can I harvest Cabbage in Zone 1b?

In Zone 1b, expect to harvest Cabbage from August 9 – October 4. Cabbage takes 60-100 days from planting to harvest.

What is the last frost date for Zone 1b?

The average last spring frost in Zone 1b is around June 7, and the first fall frost is around August 25. This gives a growing season of approximately 79 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.

What should I plant next to Cabbage?

Good companion plants for Cabbage include Celery, Dill, Onion, Potatoes. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.

🌱

Your Free Printable Garden Planner

A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Planting dates are estimates based on average frost dates — local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.