When to plant cabbage in Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s average last spring frost is April 1, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 1 — about 214 frost-free days (USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Cabbage needs 60–100 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Oklahoma's growing season.
When to plant cabbage in Oklahoma: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 4 – Mar 21, with seeds started indoors Feb 11 – Feb 25. 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 Oklahoma, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 11 – Feb 25). 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 4 – Mar 21). 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 Oklahoma.
- 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 10 – Jun 19). 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 Oklahoma’s average frost dates. More in the full cabbage growing guide.
Cabbage planting dates by USDA zone in Oklahoma
Oklahoma spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma (this page) | April 1 | Mar 4 – Mar 21 |
| North Dakota | May 15 | Apr 17 – May 4 |
| South Dakota | May 10 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Nebraska | April 30 | Apr 2 – Apr 19 |
| Kansas | April 15 | Mar 18 – Apr 4 |
Questions gardeners in Oklahoma ask
When is the best time to plant cabbage in Oklahoma?
Plant cabbage transplants outdoors in Oklahoma between March 4 and March 21. That timing is set by Oklahoma's average last spring frost of April 1.
When should I start cabbage seeds indoors in Oklahoma?
Start seeds indoors between February 11 and February 25, about 6 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 4.
Can I plant cabbage in the fall in Oklahoma?
Yes. For a fall crop, start transplants between July 23 and August 9, so the crop matures in cool weather before Oklahoma's first frost around November 1.
When will cabbage planted in Oklahoma be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, cabbage is usually ready from about May 10 to June 19, 60-100 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in Oklahoma?
On average around April 1, with the first fall frost around November 1 - about 214 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.