Blog

When to Plant Cabbage in Hooker 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.

Hooker County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 144 days.

At an elevation of 737 feet, Hooker County receives approximately 21.1 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.

Hooker County, NE (Zone 5b) Short season
144 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
144 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Hooker 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 Hooker County's 144-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Hooker County, NE

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 22
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 – May 27
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 – May 20
Harvest July 15 Jul 15 – Sep 9
Fall Sowing July 26 Jul 26 – Aug 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
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

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

144 days in Hooker County

Growing Tips for Hooker 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 Hooker County, NE?

Hooker County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hooker County, NE?

Hooker County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is October 4.

🌱

Your Hooker County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Hooker County (Zone 5b). 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 Hooker 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.