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When to Plant Cabbage in La Pine, OR

Cabbage
Deschutes County, Oregon Zone 6b June

Your June gardening checklist

June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Deschutes County, Oregon.

Avg. last frost June 15
Avg. first frost September 13
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.3 hrs
  1. Harden off and plant cabbage

    Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.

  2. Plant cabbage from seed, right in the garden

    Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.

To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • Starting indoors: 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.

La Pine, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is June 15 and the first fall frost is September 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 90 days.

At an elevation of 221 feet, Deschutes County receives approximately 54.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cabbage root diseases.

La Pine, OR (Zone 6b) Very short season
90 days
Last Spring Frost June 15
90 growing days
First Fall Frost September 13

La Pine Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 29 Transplant: Jun 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 30
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 11 Transplant: Jun 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Oct 12
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 22 Transplant: Jun 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 28 – Oct 23

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 La Pine

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.2) is more acidic than Cabbage prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.0%) — 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.

How Much Cabbage to Grow

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

For a family of 4, plant approximately 12 cabbage plants in about 30 sq ft. In Deschutes County's 90-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Cabbage Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
2.6″/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 7.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 6.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 3.9" 2.5" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 3.9" 1" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 3.9" 1" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 3.9" 2.2" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 7.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 9.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Deschutes 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 ~860 GDD — county provides 967 GDD Good fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — La Pine, OR

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 11 May 11 – May 25
Transplant Outdoors June 15 Jun 15 – Jun 29
Direct Sow June 1 Jun 1 – Jun 22
Harvest August 17 Aug 17 – Oct 12
Fall Sowing July 5 Jul 5 – Jul 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

90 days in Deschutes County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in La Pine

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after June 15 in Deschutes County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 90.0-day growing season in Deschutes County is tight for Cabbage (60.0-100.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

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 →

🌱

Your Deschutes County Garden Planner — Free

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