When to plant cabbage in New Jersey
New Jersey’s average last spring frost is April 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 15 — about 178 frost-free days (USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b). Cabbage needs 60–100 days to mature, which fits comfortably within New Jersey's growing season.
When to plant cabbage in New Jersey: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 23 – Apr 9, with seeds started indoors Mar 2 – Mar 16. 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 New Jersey, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 2 – Mar 16). 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 (Mar 23 – Apr 9). 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 New Jersey.
- 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 May 29 – Jul 8). 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 New Jersey’s average frost dates. More in the full cabbage growing guide.
Cabbage planting dates by USDA zone in New Jersey
New Jersey spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey (this page) | April 20 | Mar 23 – Apr 9 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Mar 17 – Apr 3 |
| Maryland | April 14 | Mar 17 – Apr 3 |
| District of Columbia | April 10 | Mar 13 – Mar 30 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Mar 18 – Apr 4 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | Apr 7 – Apr 24 |
Questions gardeners in New Jersey ask
When is the best time to plant cabbage in New Jersey?
Plant cabbage transplants outdoors in New Jersey between March 23 and April 9. That timing is set by New Jersey's average last spring frost of April 20.
When should I start cabbage seeds indoors in New Jersey?
Start seeds indoors between March 2 and March 16, about 6 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 23.
Can I plant cabbage in the fall in New Jersey?
Yes. For a fall crop, start transplants between July 6 and July 23, so the crop matures in cool weather before New Jersey's first frost around October 15.
When will cabbage planted in New Jersey be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, cabbage is usually ready from about May 29 to July 8, 60-100 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in New Jersey?
On average around April 20, with the first fall frost around October 15 - about 178 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.