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When to Plant Cabbage in Wade Hampton Census Area, AK

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.

Wade Hampton Census Area, Alaska is in USDA Zone 1b. The average last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost is August 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 80 days.

At an elevation of 2,927 feet, Wade Hampton Census Area receives approximately 40.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 70ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Wade Hampton Census Area, AK (Zone 1b) Very short season
80 days
Last Spring Frost May 16
80 growing days
First Fall Frost August 4

Wade Hampton Census Area Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12

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 Wade Hampton Census Area

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.9โ€“6.5) is more acidic than Cabbage prefers (6.0โ€“7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Wade Hampton Census Area is excellent for Cabbage โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (6.3%) โ€” Cabbage will thrive.

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.

How Much Cabbage to Grow

2-4 lbs
Average yield per plant
3
Plants per person
7.5 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 12 cabbage plants in about 30 sq ft. In Wade Hampton Census Area's 80-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
2.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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€” 1.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 3.9" 1.6" 2.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 3.9" 3.3" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 3.9" 6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 6.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep โ€” 6.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Oct โ€” 4.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 3.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 2.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Aug in Wade Hampton Census Area). 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 ~200 GDD — county provides 200 GDD Tight fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Wade Hampton Census Area, AK

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Transplant Outdoors May 16 May 16 โ€“ May 30
Direct Sow May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 30
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 โ€“ Sep 12
Fall Sowing May 12 May 12 โ€“ May 26

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 Fall Sowing
June โ€”
July 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 Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: too_acidic

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 1b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

80 days in Wade Hampton Census Area

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Wade Hampton Census Area

Your 80.0-day growing season in Wade Hampton Census Area is tight for Cabbage (60.0-100.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Common pests for Cabbage in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

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 Wade Hampton Census Area, AK?

Wade Hampton Census Area is in Zone 1b with an average last frost of May 16. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wade Hampton Census Area, AK?

Wade Hampton Census Area, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 1b. The average last spring frost is May 16 and first fall frost is August 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wade Hampton Census Area gardeners in Zone 1b 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 Wade Hampton Census Area, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.