When to plant cabbage in Nebraska
Nebraska’s average last spring frost is April 30, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 5 — about 158 frost-free days (USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b). Cabbage needs 60–100 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Nebraska's growing season.
When to plant cabbage in Nebraska: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 2 – Apr 19, with seeds started indoors Mar 12 – Mar 26. Seeds germinate in soil from 45 to 85°F.
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow cabbage in Nebraska, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 12 – Mar 26). Sow seeds ½ inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 5-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 75°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. It needs at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 18 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Apr 2 – Apr 19). Space plants about 15 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart. It handles frost well, so it can go out before the last frost date. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Nebraska.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: cabbage worm, cabbage looper, aphids, cabbage root maggot, flea beetle. Diseases and disorders: clubroot, black rot, downy mildew, fusarium yellows.
- Harvest (from about Jun 8 – Jul 18). Cabbage takes 60-100 days to reach harvest. Tighter spacing (12 in) gives smaller heads better for one meal. Split heads mean it is past ready or got a sudden drink after dry weather.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Nebraska’s average frost dates. More in the full cabbage growing guide.
Cabbage planting dates by USDA zone in Nebraska
Nebraska spans USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the cabbage dates shift with them.
When to plant cabbage in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska (this page) | April 30 | Apr 2 – Apr 19 |
| North Dakota | May 15 | Apr 17 – May 4 |
| South Dakota | May 10 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Kansas | April 15 | Mar 18 – Apr 4 |
| Oklahoma | April 1 | Mar 4 – Mar 21 |
Questions gardeners in Nebraska ask
When is the best time to plant cabbage in Nebraska?
Plant cabbage transplants outdoors in Nebraska between April 2 and April 19. That timing is set by Nebraska's average last spring frost of April 30.
When should I start cabbage seeds indoors in Nebraska?
Start seeds indoors between March 12 and March 26, about 6 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 2.
Can I plant cabbage in the fall in Nebraska?
Yes. For a fall crop, start transplants between June 26 and July 13, so the crop matures in cool weather before Nebraska's first frost around October 5.
When will cabbage planted in Nebraska be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, cabbage is usually ready from about June 8 to July 18, 60-100 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in Nebraska?
On average around April 30, with the first fall frost around October 5 - about 158 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.