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When to plant Cabbage in Weippe, ID

In Weippe, plant Cabbage in spring between May 3 and May 24, once soil temps hold above 50°F. Weippe's last frost averages May 17, so most warm-season crops establish quickly once soil holds above 60°F. For a fall crop, sow between July 20 and August 3 — roughly 60–100 days before the first frost on September 28.

When to Plant Cabbage in Weippe, ID

Cabbage
Clearwater County, Idaho Zone 7a June

Top priorities for Clearwater County, Idaho gardeners in June

Each item below is timed to Clearwater County, Idaho's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost May 17
Avg. first frost September 28
Soil temp (4") 44°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.6 hrs
  1. Begin indoor sowing: cabbage

    A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.

Get ahead of July
  • 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.

Weippe, Idaho is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 7,800 feet, Clearwater County receives approximately 19 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.

Weippe, ID (Zone 7a) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
134 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Weippe Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 6 Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Oct 7

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 Weippe

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 Clearwater County is excellent for Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). 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 134-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 20 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 20.

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 436 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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.9" 2.2" 1.7" 💧 Light 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" 1.5" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Clearwater 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 2,043 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Weippe, ID

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 12 Apr 12 – Apr 26
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 – May 31
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 – May 24
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 – Sep 13
Fall Sowing July 20 Jul 20 – Aug 3

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
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 7a

📆 Growing Season

134 days in Clearwater County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Weippe

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after May 17 in Clearwater 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.

Clearwater County receives only 19" 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 →

When should I plant Cabbage in Weippe, ID?

In Weippe, ID, plant Cabbage after the last frost (around May 17) and before the first frost (around September 28). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Weippe, ID for Cabbage?

Weippe sits in USDA Zone 7a. Cabbage grows reliably in zones 1a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cabbage grow in Weippe's climate?

Yes — Cabbage grows well in Weippe's temperate climate. Weippe averages a 134-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 17 and first frost around September 28.

🌱

Your Clearwater County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Clearwater County (Zone 7a). 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 Clearwater County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.