When to Plant Cabbage in Zone 3

Brassica oleracea var. capitata

Last updated: May 15, 2026 · Sources: USDA, NOAA, Cooperative Extension
Action Plan

Plant Cabbage in Zone 3

  • Start indoors: Mar 27
  • Transplant: May 15 — after last frost (May 15)
  • First harvest: Jul 21 (60–100 days)
⚠️ Don't plant before last frost (May 15) — cold snaps kill young transplants.
Last frost
May 15
First frost
Sep 15
Growing season
123 days
Quick Facts
Sunlight ☀️ Full Sun
Water Needs 💧💧 Moderate
Spacing 18 inches apart
Planting Depth 0.5 inch
Min Soil Temp 40°F
Germination 5–10 days
Days to Maturity 60–100 days
Frost Tolerance Moderate frost tolerance
Soil pH 6.0–7.5
Difficulty Moderate
What you'll need — Zone 3
🛒 Cabbage — Seeds & Supplies
  • 🌱 Cabbage Seeds Variety Pack
  • 🌱 Root Fly Collar Set
  • 🌱 Row Cover Fabric

Search for these at your local garden center or nursery.

Growing Tips

  • Frost-tolerant — tastes better after light frost.
  • Add collars around stems to prevent cabbage root fly.
  • Water consistently — irregular watering causes heads to crack.
  • Companion plant with dill or chamomile.
  • Direct sow or transplant 6–8 weeks before last frost for spring.

Common Mistakes

  • Planting in summer heat.
  • Inconsistent watering — #1 cause of split heads.
  • Not rotating — brassicas share diseases.
  • Ignoring cabbage worms.

Companion Planting

Companion planting improves growth, deters pests, and makes better use of garden space.

✓ Good Companions

Celery Onion Potato

✗ Avoid Nearby

Tomato Strawberry

Cabbage Schedule — All Zones

ZoneStart IndoorsTransplant Direct SowHarvest StartHarvest End
Zone 2 Apr 6 May 25 — Jul 31 Sep 2
Zone 3 Mar 27 May 15 — Jul 21 Sep 12
Zone 4 Mar 22 May 10 — Jul 16 Sep 22
Zone 5 Mar 12 Apr 30 — Jul 6 Sep 14
Zone 6 Feb 25 Apr 15 — Jun 21 Aug 30
Zone 7 Feb 15 Apr 5 — Jun 11 Aug 20
Zone 8 Jan 30 Mar 20 — May 26 Aug 4
Zone 9 Jan 10 Feb 28 — May 6 Jul 15
Zone 10 Dec 23 Feb 10 — Apr 18 Jun 27
Zone 11 Dec 17 Jan 15 Jan 15 Mar 23 Jun 1
📚 Data Sources
Frost dates: NOAA Climate Normals 1991–2020, National Centers for Environmental Information.
Hardiness zones: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Agricultural Research Service.
Growing requirements: Cooperative Extension Services — NC State, Penn State, University of Florida IFAS.
Companion planting: Cornell University Cooperative Extension.
Data compiled from public agricultural sources. Always verify with your local extension office for micro-climate adjustments.