When to Plant Cabbage in Plumas County, CA
May in Plumas County, California — your action list
Each item below is timed to Plumas County, California's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Move cabbage into the garden
Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.
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Seed cabbage outdoors
Succession planting is the secret here. Put in a row now, another in 2 weeks, a third in 4.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- Starting indoors: 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.
Plumas County, California is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 141 days.
At an elevation of 1,185 feet, Plumas County receives approximately 30.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.
Plumas County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.6-7.6
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Plumas County
How your county's soil matches Cabbage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.6–7.6) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Plumas County is excellent for Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Cabbage.
How to Plant Cabbage
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Cabbage
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 30 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 30.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 | — | 6.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 6.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3.9" | 1" | 2.9" | 🚿 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" | 0.3" | 3.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 3.9" | 1.2" | 2.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 4.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Plumas 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 Planting Timeline — Plumas County, CA
Cabbage Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 15 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 20 | May 20 – Jun 3 |
| Direct Sow | May 6 | May 6 – May 27 |
| Harvest | July 22 | Jul 22 – Sep 16 |
| Fall Sowing | July 30 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
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 | Transplant Outdoors |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.9"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
60–100 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
141 days in Plumas County
Growing Tips for Cabbage in Plumas County
Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after May 20 in Plumas 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Cabbage in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Cabbage in Plumas County, CA?
Plumas County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of May 20. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Plumas County, CA?
Plumas County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and first fall frost is October 8.
Your Plumas County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Plumas County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.