Blog

When to plant Cabbage in Sinclair, ME

Spring Cabbage in Sinclair goes in May 11–June 1, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing. A second sowing from July 2 to July 16 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cabbage in Sinclair, ME

Cabbage
Aroostook County, Maine Zone 4a June

Your June planting checklist for Aroostook County, Maine

June is a pivotal month for Aroostook County, Maine 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 September 24
Soil temp (4") 61°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 15.6 hrs
  1. Start cabbage indoors

    These need a head start before your last frost (May 18). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: cabbage
  • Fall sowing: cabbage

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Sinclair, Maine is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost is September 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 129 days.

At an elevation of 314 feet, Aroostook County receives approximately 39.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 78°F, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Sinclair, ME (Zone 4a) Short season
129 days
Last Spring Frost May 18
129 growing days
First Fall Frost September 24

Sinclair Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 31 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 20 Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 28

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 Sinclair

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.9–6.3) is more acidic than Cabbage prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). Annual compost additions will help Cabbage.

How to Plant Cabbage

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

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cabbage

2
successive plantings in your 129-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 16 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 02.

Cabbage Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.9" 3.3" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.9" 3.7" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 3.9" 3.6" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3.9" 3.6" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.9" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Aroostook 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 ~680 GDD — county provides 1,096 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Sinclair, ME

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 6 Apr 6 – Apr 20
Transplant Outdoors May 18 May 18 – Jun 1
Direct Sow May 11 May 11 – Jun 1
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 – Sep 14
Fall Sowing July 2 Jul 2 – Jul 16

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 Direct Sow
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August 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: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4a

📆 Growing Season

129 days in Aroostook County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Sinclair

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after May 18 in Aroostook 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 →

When should I plant Cabbage in Sinclair, ME?

In Sinclair, ME, plant Cabbage after the last frost (around May 18) and before the first frost (around September 24). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Sinclair, ME for Cabbage?

Sinclair sits in USDA Zone 4a. Cabbage grows reliably in zones 1a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cabbage grow in Sinclair's climate?

Yes — Cabbage grows well in Sinclair's temperate climate. Sinclair averages a 129-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 18 and first frost around September 24.

🌱

Your Aroostook County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Aroostook County (Zone 4a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Aroostook County, ME. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.