When to Plant Cabbage in USDA Zone 3a
Zone 3a gardeners: here's your April plan
Here's what deserves your attention in Zone 3a this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 3a and timed around your local frost dates.
To set up a strong May, finish these tasks
- Transplants going out: cabbage
- Direct-sowing: 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 3a, the average last spring frost is around May 15 and the first fall frost is around September 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.
Cabbage Planting Timeline — Zone 3a
Where Is USDA Zone 3a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 3a. Click any state to see the Cabbage planting schedule for that location.
Cabbage Planting Calendar — Zone 3a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 15 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Direct Sow | May 8 | May 8 – May 29 |
| Harvest | July 17 | Jul 17 – Sep 11 |
| Fall Sowing | June 23 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Fall Sowing |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 3a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 3a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
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
123 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 15 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 24 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Cabbage in Zone
Sow every 6.9 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Cabbage in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~123 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
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Saving Cabbage Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Related Plants
Cabbage in Other Zones
Cabbage by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Cabbage in Zone 3a?
In Zone 3a, plan your Cabbage planting around the average last frost date of May 15. Start seeds indoors around April 3. Direct sow outdoors around May 8. Transplant seedlings around May 15.
Can Cabbage grow in Zone 3a?
Yes, Cabbage can grow well in Zone 3a, hardy in USDA zones 1a through 10b. Zone 3a has a growing season of approximately 123 days, which is sufficient for Cabbage (60-100 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Cabbage in Zone 3a?
In Zone 3a, expect to harvest Cabbage from July 17 – September 11. Cabbage takes 60-100 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 3a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 3a is around May 15, and the first fall frost is around September 15. This gives a growing season of approximately 123 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.