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When to Plant Cabbage in Arock, OR

Cabbage
Arock, OR Zone 6b June

This month in Arock, OR

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

Avg. last frost May 18
Avg. first frost September 29
Soil temp (4") 67°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.2 hrs
  1. Get cabbage seeds going inside

    You're about 15 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.

To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: cabbage
  • Fall sowing: 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.

Arock, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 2,676 feet, Malheur County receives approximately 17.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Cabbage successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Arock, OR (Zone 6b) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 18
134 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29
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Arock Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 13 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 8 Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Oct 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 Arock

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.3) is more acidic than Cabbage prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Cabbage.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.6%) — Cabbage will thrive.

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

2
successive plantings in your 134-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 21 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 21.

Cabbage Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 741 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 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.9" 0.9" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 3.9" 0.7" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3.9" 0.3" 3.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 3.9" 0.3" 3.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 3.9" 0.8" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Malheur 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 2,345 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Arock, OR

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 21 Jul 21 – Aug 4

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 Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December
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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: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

134 days in Malheur County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Arock

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after May 18 in Malheur 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.

Malheur County receives only 18" of rain annually. Cabbage needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 →

🌱

Your Malheur County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Malheur 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.

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 Malheur County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.