If you’re gardening in zone 7, knowing when to plant cabbage is the key to a successful harvest. Getting the timing right means you’ll get crisp, sweet heads instead of bolted or stunted plants.
This cool-season crop thrives in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall. The mild winters and long growing season in zone 7 offer two great chances to grow it. Let’s break down the optimal timing for planting so you can plan your garden calendar perfectly.
When To Plant Cabbage In Zone 7
For a spring harvest, you need to get cabbage started early. The goal is to have plants ready to go into the garden as soon as the soil can be worked in late winter or early spring. Cabbage seedlings can handle a light frost, which actually improves their flavor.
For a fall harvest, timing is different. You’ll be planting in mid to late summer for heads that mature in the cool, crisp days of autumn. Fall cabbage often has fewer pest problems and can produce exceptionally sweet heads.
Spring Planting Schedule
Start your cabbage seeds indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before your last expected spring frost date. In zone 7, the average last frost date ranges from early April in warmer parts to late April in cooler microclimates.
- Indoor Seed Starting: Begin seeds between late January and mid-February.
- Transplanting Outdoors: Harden off and transplant seedlings outdoors 2 to 4 weeks before your last frost date. This is typically from early March to early April.
- Direct Sowing: You can also sow seeds directly in the garden 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost, but starting indoors gives you a more reliable head start.
Fall Planting Schedule
Fall planting is calculated from your first average fall frost date. In zone 7, the first frost usually arrives in late October or early November. Cabbage needs time to mature before hard freezes hit.
- Count Backwards: Check the “days to maturity” on your seed packet. Count back from your first fall frost date.
- For Direct Sowing: Sow seeds directly in the garden roughly 12 to 14 weeks before the first frost. This means planting in July or early August.
- For Transplants: Start seeds indoors in June or early July. Transplant these sturdy seedlings into the garden in late July or August, giving them about 6 to 8 weeks to grow before frost.
Understanding Your Zone 7 Microclimate
Zone 7 is a large area with variations. Your specific location affects your planting dates. Coastal areas are milder, while inland or mountainous spots have more extreme temperatures.
It’s a good idea to keep a simple garden journal. Note your frost dates and when you plant each year. This record will be your best guide for fine-tuning your schedule. Your local cooperative extension service is also a fantastic resource for hyper-local advice.
Step-by-Step Planting Guide
1. Choosing the Right Variety
Select varieties suited to the season. For spring, choose fast-maturing types that resist bolting. For fall, you can pick larger, slower-maturing varieties that benefit from the cooling trend.
- Early Season (Spring): ‘Gonzales’, ‘Parel’, ‘Early Jersey Wakefield’.
- Late Season/Main Crop (Fall): ‘Danish Ballhead’, ‘Late Flat Dutch’, ‘Savoy King’.
2. Preparing the Soil
Cabbage needs fertile, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Amend your garden bed with plenty of compost or well-rotted manure a few weeks before planting. They are heavy feeders.
3. Planting Seeds or Transplants
For transplants, dig a hole slightly deeper than the root ball. Space plants 12 to 24 inches apart in rows 24 to 36 inches apart, depending on the variety’s size. Plant them so the lowest leaves are at soil level.
Firm the soil gently around the roots and water them in well. A starter fertilizer can help with the transition.
4. Ongoing Care for Success
- Watering: Provide 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. Consistent moisture is crucial for forming solid, non-bitter heads. Drip irrigation is best to keep leaves dry.
- Fertilizing: Side-dress with a balanced fertilizer or compost tea when plants are about halfway to maturity.
- Mulching: Apply a layer of straw or shredded leaves to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and keep soil temperatures cool.
Common Problems and Solutions in Zone 7
Pests like cabbage worms, loopers, and aphids can be an issue. Check plants regularly. Handpick pests or use an organic control like Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis). Row covers installed right after planting are a highly effective physical barrier.
Diseases like clubroot and black rot are less common in well-maintained soil. Practice crop rotation—don’t plant cabbage in the same spot where other brassicas (like broccoli or kale) grew in the last 3 years. This is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do.
Harvesting Your Cabbage
Heads are ready when they feel firm and solid when you gently squeeze them. For spring cabbage, harvest before the heat of summer causes them to split or bolt. For fall crops, you can often leave them in the garden through several light frosts, which makes them taste even better.
Use a sharp knife to cut the head from the base of the plant. You can sometimes get a second, smaller crop of “babby” heads if you leave the outer leaves and stem in the ground after the main harvest.
FAQ: Planting Cabbage in Zone 7
Can I plant cabbage in the summer in zone 7?
No, cabbage is a cool-season crop. Summer heat will cause it to bolt (flower) prematurely, ruining the head. The only summer planting is for a fall harvest, and those seeds are sown in mid-summer to mature in cooler fall weather.
What is the latest I can plant cabbage for a fall harvest?
You should aim to get transplants in the ground by late August at the latest in most of zone 7. This gives them enough time to mature before a hard freeze. Check your seed packet’s “days to maturity” and count back from your average first frost date.
Should I start cabbage seeds indoors or direct sow?
Both methods work. Starting indoors gives you more control over the early growth and protects tender seedlings from harsh weather and pests. Direct sowing is simpler but requires more attentive weeding and thinning. For spring crops, indoor starting is generally more reliable.
How do I protect my cabbage from frost?
Mature cabbage plants can handle frost quite well, and light frosts improve flavor. For an early, hard freeze, you can cover plants with a row cover, old bedsheet, or frost cloth overnight. Just remember to remove the cover during the day.
Why are my cabbage heads not forming?
This can be caused by several factors: planting too late so it gets too hot, inconsistent watering, insufficient sunlight (they need full sun), or a lack of nutrients in the soil. Make sure your plants get steady water and are planted in rich, fertile ground.
Getting your cabbage planting right in zone 7 is all about working with the cool seasons. By following these timing guidelines and care tips, you’ll be able to enjoy homegrown cabbage from your own garden twice a year. The fresh taste of a self-grown head is worth the planning.