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When to Plant Cabbage in Irrigon, OR

Cabbage
Morrow County, Oregon Zone 7b June

What to do in June

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Morrow County, Oregon this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 25
Avg. first frost October 15
Soil temp (4") 66°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.4 hrs
  1. Harvest cabbage as they ripen

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
  • 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.

Irrigon, Oregon is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 2,335 feet, Morrow County receives approximately 20.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Irrigon, OR (Zone 7b) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Irrigon Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (55 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 Irrigon

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.8) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Morrow 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 (4.6%) — 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

3
successive plantings in your 173-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 07 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 06.

Cabbage Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,224 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.9" 1.4" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
May 3.9" 1.2" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 3.9" 0.7" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3.9" 0.4" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 3.9" 0.4" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 3.9" 0.8" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 3.9" 1.7" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Morrow 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 ~1,280 GDD — county provides 2,768 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Irrigon, OR

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 21 Mar 21 – Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 – May 9
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 – May 2
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 – Aug 22
Fall Sowing August 6 Aug 6 – Aug 20

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 · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

173 days in Morrow County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Irrigon

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after April 25 in Morrow 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.

Morrow County receives only 21" 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 Morrow County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Morrow County (Zone 7b). 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 Morrow County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.