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When to plant Cabbage in Douglas County County,

Douglas County County's climate puts the Cabbage spring window between March 29 and April 19. time plantings around the expected last-frost window for best survival. A second sowing from August 16 to August 30 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cabbage in Douglas County, KS

Cabbage
Douglas County, Kansas Zone 6b June

Your June planting checklist for Douglas County, Kansas

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

Avg. last frost April 12
Avg. first frost October 25
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 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.

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.

Douglas County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 494 feet, Douglas County receives approximately 27.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Douglas County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Douglas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 23

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 Douglas County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.6) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). 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

3
successive plantings in your 196-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 17 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 16.

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 641 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 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.9" 2.7" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
May 3.9" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 3.6" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.9" 2.4" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.9" 1.7" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Douglas 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 ~1,400 GDD — county provides 3,430 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Douglas County, KS

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 8 Mar 8 – Mar 22
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 – Apr 26
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 19
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 – Aug 9
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 – Aug 30

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 Fall Sowing Harvest
September
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 6b

📆 Growing Season

196 days in Douglas County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Douglas County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after April 12 in Douglas 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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cabbage in Douglas County, KS?

Douglas County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Douglas County, KS?

Douglas County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 25.

When should I plant Cabbage in Douglas County County, ?

In Douglas County County, , plant Cabbage after the last frost (around April 12) and before the first frost (around October 25). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Douglas County County, for Cabbage?

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

Can Cabbage grow in Douglas County County's climate?

Yes — Cabbage grows well in Douglas County County's temperate climate. Douglas County County averages a 196-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 12 and first frost around October 25.

🌱

Your Douglas County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Douglas County (Zone 6b). 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 Douglas County, KS. 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.