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When to plant Cabbage in Maynard,

Cabbage planted in Maynard between April 10 and May 1 matures in 100 days — well before the October 17 first frost. A second sowing from August 8 to August 22 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cabbage in Maynard, MA

Cabbage
Maynard, MA Zone 6b June

What to do in June

Your garden in Maynard, MA is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost April 24
Avg. first frost October 17
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.1 hrs
  1. Basket week: cabbage

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

To set up a strong July, 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.

Maynard, Massachusetts is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.

At an elevation of 117 feet, Middlesex County receives approximately 43.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Maynard, MA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
176 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
176 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Maynard Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 9

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 Maynard

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–6.7) is more acidic than Cabbage prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). 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 176-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 09 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 08.

Cabbage Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.9" 3.2" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
May 3.9" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 3.6" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jul 3.9" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 3.3" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.9" 3.5" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Middlesex 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 3,080 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Maynard, MA

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 3
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 – May 8
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 – May 1
Harvest June 26 Jun 26 – Aug 21
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 – Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September
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 6b

📆 Growing Season

176 days in Middlesex County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Maynard

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after April 24 in Middlesex 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 Maynard, ?

In Maynard, , plant Cabbage after the last frost (around April 24) and before the first frost (around October 17). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Maynard, for Cabbage?

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

Can Cabbage grow in Maynard's climate?

Yes — Cabbage grows well in Maynard's temperate climate. Maynard averages a 176-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 24 and first frost around October 17.

🌱

Your Middlesex County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Middlesex 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 Middlesex County, MA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.