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When to plant Cabbage in Franklin County County,

Cabbage planted in Franklin County County between May 5 and May 26 matures in 100 days — well before the October 3 first frost. A second sowing from July 25 to August 8 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cabbage in Franklin County, ID

Cabbage
Franklin County, Idaho Zone 6a June

June in Franklin County, Idaho — your action list

June is a pivotal month for Franklin County, Idaho gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost May 19
Avg. first frost October 3
Soil temp (4") 46°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.1 hrs
  1. Start cabbage indoors

    You're about 15 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.

To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: cabbage
  • Fall sowing: 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.

Franklin County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 137 days.

At an elevation of 7,665 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 18.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Cabbage successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Franklin County, ID (Zone 6a) Short season
137 days
Last Spring Frost May 19
137 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3
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Franklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 9 Transplant: Jun 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Oct 10

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 Franklin County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.7) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Cabbage.

How to Plant Cabbage

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

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cabbage

2
successive plantings in your 137-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 25 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 25.

Cabbage Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 487 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.9" 1.9" 2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 3.9" 1.3" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3.9" 1.8" 2.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 3.9" 2" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.9" 1.6" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 3.9" 1.8" 2.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Franklin 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 ~1,220 GDD — county provides 2,089 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Franklin County, ID

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Transplant Outdoors May 19 May 19 – Jun 2
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 – May 26
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 – Sep 15
Fall Sowing July 25 Jul 25 – Aug 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
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
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

137 days in Franklin County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Franklin County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after May 19 in Franklin 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.

Franklin County receives only 18" of rain annually. Cabbage needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Franklin County, ID?

Franklin County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Franklin County, ID?

Franklin County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is October 3.

When should I plant Cabbage in Franklin County, ?

In Franklin County, , plant Cabbage after the last frost (around May 19) and before the first frost (around October 3). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Franklin County, for Cabbage?

Franklin County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Cabbage grows reliably in zones 1a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cabbage grow in Franklin County's climate?

Yes — Cabbage grows well in Franklin County's temperate climate. Franklin County averages a 137-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 19 and first frost around October 3.

🌱

Your Franklin County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Franklin County (Zone 6a). 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 Franklin County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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