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When to plant Cabbage in Lincoln County, ID

Plant Cabbage in Lincoln County from May 4 to May 25 in spring. Lincoln County sits in USDA Zone 6a, with last frost around May 18 and first frost on October 3. A second sowing from July 25 to August 8 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cabbage in Lincoln County, ID

Cabbage
Lincoln County, Idaho Zone 6a July

Lincoln County, Idaho gardeners: here's your July plan

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

Avg. last frost May 18
Avg. first frost October 3
Soil temp (4") 56°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.9 hrs
  1. Bring in the cabbage

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

  2. Kick off the fall garden with cabbage

    Your first frost is about 13 weeks away — plenty of time for these to mature.

To set up a strong August, finish these tasks
  • 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.

Lincoln County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 138 days.

At an elevation of 6,230 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 15.8 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. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Cabbage successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Lincoln County, ID (Zone 6a) Short season
138 days
Last Spring Frost May 18
138 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 13 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 7 Transplant: Jun 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Oct 8

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 Lincoln County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–8.1) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). 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 138-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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 618 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 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.9" 2" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.9" 1.1" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3.9" 1.1" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 3.9" 1.8" 2.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 3.9" 1.3" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 3.9" 1.5" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Lincoln 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 1,690 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Lincoln County, ID

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 13 Apr 13 – Apr 27
Transplant Outdoors May 18 May 18 – Jun 1
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 – May 25
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 – Sep 14
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

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

138 days in Lincoln County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Lincoln County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after May 18 in Lincoln 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.

Lincoln County receives only 16" 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 Lincoln County, ID?

Lincoln County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 18. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, ID?

Lincoln County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 18 and first fall frost is October 3.

When should I plant Cabbage in Lincoln County, ID?

In Lincoln County, ID, plant Cabbage after the last frost (around May 18) and before the first frost (around October 3). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lincoln County, ID for Cabbage?

Lincoln 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 Lincoln County's climate?

Yes — Cabbage grows well in Lincoln County's temperate climate. Lincoln County averages a 138-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 18 and first frost around October 3.

🌱

Your Lincoln County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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