When To Plant Cabbage In Virginia

Getting your cabbage planting time right in Virginia is the single biggest factor for a great harvest. If you want crisp, healthy heads, knowing exactly when to plant cabbage in Virginia is your first step.

Virginia’s varied climate, from the mountains to the coast, means timing is everything. Plant too early and a late frost can bolt your plants. Plant too late and summer heat will ruin them. This guide gives you the simple schedule and tips you need for success.

For most Virginia gardeners, cabbage is a cool-season crop grown in two distinct windows: spring and fall. The fall planting is often easier and more productive because the crop matures as temperatures cool.

Spring Planting Schedule

For a spring harvest, you need to get cabbage started very early. The goal is to have plants mature before the heat of summer arrives, which can cause bolting (flowering) and bitter taste.

Start Seeds Indoors: Begin 6-8 weeks before your last expected spring frost date. For most of Virginia, this is between late January and early March.
Transplant Outdoors: Move your sturdy seedlings into the garden 2-4 weeks before your last frost date. They can handle a light frost. This is typically from early March in coastal areas to late April in the mountains.
Direct Seed (Risky): You can sow seeds directly in the garden as soon as the soil can be worked, but growth is slower. This method is less reliable for spring.

Fall Planting Schedule

Fall is the premier time for growing cabbage in Virginia. The heads develop during warm days and sweeten during cool nights.

Calculate Backwards: Find your first average fall frost date. Count backwards 6-10 weeks (for transplants) or 10-14 weeks (for direct seeds).
Transplant Timing: For a fall crop, set out transplants in mid-to-late summer. This is usually from late July through August across the state.
Direct Seed Timing: Sow seeds directly into the garden in mid-to-late summer, about 2-4 weeks earlier than transplant timing.

Virginia Region Breakdown

Virginia has three main gardening zones. Here’s a quick reference chart for transplant times.

Coastal & Southeastern Virginia (Zones 7b-8a)

Last Spring Frost: Early to mid-April
Spring Transplant: Early to mid-March
First Fall Frost: Late October to mid-November
Fall Transplant: Early August to early September

Piedmont & Central Virginia (Zones 7a-7b)

Last Spring Frost: Mid-to-late April
Spring Transplant: Late March to early April
First Fall Frost: Mid-to-late October
Fall Transplant: Late July to late August

Mountain & Western Virginia (Zones 6a-6b)

Last Spring Frost: Early to mid-May
Spring Transplant: Mid-to-late April
First Fall Frost: Early to mid-October
Fall Transplant: Late July to early August

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Once you have your date, follow these steps for healthy plants.

1. Choosing Your Variety

Pick varieties suited to the season. For spring, choose fast-maturing types like ‘Early Jersey Wakefield’ (65 days) that beat the heat. For fall, you can use larger, slower-maturing varieties like ‘Danish Ballhead’ (100 days) or colorful red cabbages.

2. Starting Seeds Indoors

Fill trays with a sterile seed-starting mix.
Sow seeds ¼ inch deep.
Keep soil moist and warm (70-75°F) for germination.
Provide strong light immediately after seedlings emerge.
Fertilize weakly once true leaves appear.
Harden off seedlings for a week before transplanting.

3. Preparing the Garden Bed

Cabbage needs full sun (at least 6 hours) and fertile, well-drained soil. Work in 2-3 inches of compost or aged manure before planting. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, between 6.0 and 7.0.

4. Transplanting Correctly

Transplant on a cloudy day or in the evening.
Space plants 12-24 inches apart in rows 24-36 inches apart. Check your variety’s needs.
Plant so the lowest leaves are at soil level; don’t bury the stem deeply.
Water thoroughly right after planting.

5. Direct Sowing Seeds

If direct sowing, plant seeds ½ inch deep and 3 inches apart. Once seedlings have 3-4 leaves, thin them to the final spacing. You can eat the thinned seedlings in a salad.

Essential Care Tips for Virginia Gardens

Consistent care is key to preventing problems and growing solid heads.

Watering

Cabbage needs consistent moisture. Provide 1-1.5 inches of water per week, more during dry spells. Use a soaker hose or water at the base to keep leaves dry and prevent disease. Inconsistent watering can lead to split heads.

Fertilizing

They are heavy feeders. Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting. Side-dress with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer when plants are halfway grown (about 3-4 weeks after transplanting). Another light side-dressing as heads begin to form can be helpful.

Pest and Disease Management

Common issues in Virginia include cabbage worms, aphids, and flea beetles.

Cabbage Worms: Handpick or use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a natural bacteria.
Aphids: Blast them off with a strong spray of water or use insecticidal soap.
Flea Beetles: Use floating row covers immediately after planting to exclude them.
Diseases: Prevent fungal issues like clubroot by rotating crops yearly. Don’t plant cabbage where other brassicas (broccoli, kale) grew in the last 2-3 years.

Harvesting Your Cabbage

Heads are ready when they feel firm and solid when you gently squeeze them. Use a sharp knife to cut the head at the base. For a possible second, smaller harvest, leave the outer leaves and stem intact; sometimes small secondary heads will form.

If a hard freeze is forecasted in the fall, you can harvest all remaining heads. They store well in a cool, humid place like a refrigerator or root cellar for several months.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can you plant cabbage in the summer in Virginia?

No, planting in early summer for a mid-summer harvest is not advised. The heat will cause the plants to bolt, become bitter, or fail to form a head. The summer period is for preparing your fall crop.

What is the latest you can plant cabbage in Virginia?

For a fall crop, you should get transplants in the ground by early September in coastal areas and by mid-August in the mountains. This ensures enough time for maturity before a hard freeze stops growth.

Can cabbage survive a frost in Virginia?

Yes! Cabbage is very frost-tolerant. Mature plants can handle temperatures down to about 20°F. In fact, a light frost can improve the sweetness of the leaves. This makes it a perfect fall crop.

Should I start cabbage from seeds or buy plants?

Both work. Starting from seed gives you more variety choices and is cheaper. Buying transplants from a local nursery is easier and saves time, especially for the spring crop when the timing is tight. For fall, starting your own seeds in June is very effective.

Following these timing guidelines will set you up for a succesful cabbage season. With the right schedule and basic care, you can enjoy homegrown cabbage from your Virginia garden for much of the year.