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When to Plant Cabbage in Dawes County, NE

Cabbage

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.

Dawes County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 126 days.

At an elevation of 790 feet, Dawes County receives approximately 25.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Dawes County, NE (Zone 5a) Short season
126 days
Last Spring Frost May 18
126 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

Dawes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Cabbage to Grow

2-4 lbs
Average yield per plant
3
Plants per person
6 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 12 cabbage plants in about 24 sq ft. In Dawes County's 126-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Dawes County, NE

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 13 Jul 13 – Jul 27

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 Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

126 days in Dawes County

Growing Tips for Dawes County

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 Dawes County, NE?

Dawes County is in Zone 5a 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 Dawes County, NE?

Dawes County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 18 and first fall frost is September 21.

🌱

Your Dawes County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Dawes County (Zone 5a). 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 Dawes County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.