When to plant cabbage in Washington
Washington’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 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a). Cabbage needs 60–100 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Washington's growing season.
Washington covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant cabbage in Washington: 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 Washington, 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 Washington.
- 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 Washington’s average frost dates. More in the full cabbage growing guide.
Cabbage planting dates by USDA zone in Washington
Washington spans USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. 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.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant cabbage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 19 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Mar 18 – Apr 4 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 8 – Mar 25 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Feb 20 – Mar 9 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 | Nov 30 | 280 days | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Jan 23 – Feb 9 |
When to plant cabbage in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Washington (this page) | April 20 | Mar 23 – Apr 9 |
| Oregon | April 20 | Mar 23 – Apr 9 |
Questions gardeners in Washington ask
When is the best time to plant cabbage in Washington?
Plant cabbage transplants outdoors in Washington between March 23 and April 9. That timing is set by Washington's average last spring frost of April 20; Washington spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start cabbage seeds indoors in Washington?
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 Washington?
Yes. For a fall crop, start transplants between July 6 and July 23, so the crop matures in cool weather before Washington's first frost around October 15.
When will cabbage planted in Washington 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 Washington?
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.