Growing cabbage in zone 3b
(Zone 3b = an average winter low of -35°F to -30°F.)
In USDA zone 3b, the typical last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 23. Here is when to plant cabbage against those dates.
Typical timing
Zone 3b planting schedule
Evidence trail
How these dates are built
Sprout applies the cited planting offsets to the typical zone 3b frost anchors. The result is a planning baseline for the zone, not a local weather forecast.
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, 2023USDA Agricultural Research Service / Oregon State University PRISM Group. Supports the USDA hardiness-zone band.
- U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Supports the median spring and fall freeze dates.
- How to Grow Cabbage in Your GardenUtah State University Extension. Supports indoor seed-starting timing (derived), outdoor transplant timing (direct), direct-sowing timing (direct), and fall direct-sowing timing (derived).
Method note
Transplant/seed timing (2-3 weeks before last frost), transplant grow time 6-7 weeks (sow-indoors re-expressed against last frost), spacing 12-18 inches in rows 2-3 feet, depth 1/4 to 1/2 inch (lower bound stored), tipburn disorder. Fall window converted from 'plant 50-75 days before maturity, maturity 1-2 weeks after first fall frost' at 7 days/week.
These are zone 3b averages
Computed from 224 ZIP codes in zone 3b. Your town's frost dates vary; enter your ZIP for dates built on your nearest weather station.
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Put these dates to work
The plant profile covers spacing, light, water, soil, and source-backed timing details. The growing guide covers preparation, care, and harvest technique.