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When to plant Cabbage in Georgetown, CA

Georgetown's climate puts the Cabbage spring window between March 21 and April 11. aim for a steady week of warm soil before planting. A second sowing from September 27 to October 11 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cabbage in Georgetown, CA

Cabbage
El Dorado County, California Zone 9b June

This month in El Dorado County, California

June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in El Dorado County, California.

Avg. last frost April 11
Avg. first frost November 22
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for cabbage

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: cabbage

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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.

Georgetown, California is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is November 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 225 days.

At an elevation of 2,714 feet, El Dorado County receives approximately 41 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Georgetown, CA (Zone 9b) Long season
225 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
225 growing days
First Fall Frost November 22

Georgetown Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 3

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 Georgetown

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.2) is within Cabbage's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in El Dorado County is excellent for Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Cabbage.

How to Plant Cabbage

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cabbage

4
successive plantings in your 225-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 14 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 27.

Cabbage Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 324 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 7.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 9.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.9" 3.4" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
May 3.9" 1.1" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 3.9" 0.2" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3.9" 0" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 3.9" 0" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 3.9" 0.5" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 3.9" 1.6" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 3.9" 3.8" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Dec 6.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in El Dorado County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — every day above 50°F 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 ~980 GDD — county provides 2,756 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Georgetown, CA

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 – Apr 11
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 – Aug 8
Fall Sowing September 27 Sep 27 – Oct 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

225 days in El Dorado County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Georgetown

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after April 11 in El Dorado 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.

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 →

When should I plant Cabbage in Georgetown, CA?

In Georgetown, CA, plant Cabbage after the last frost (around April 11) and before the first frost (around November 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Georgetown, CA for Cabbage?

Georgetown sits in USDA Zone 9b. Cabbage grows reliably in zones 1a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cabbage grow in Georgetown's climate?

Yes — Cabbage grows well in Georgetown's temperate climate. Georgetown averages a 225-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 11 and first frost around November 22.

🌱

Your El Dorado County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for El Dorado County (Zone 9b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for El Dorado County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.