When to plant cabbage in Goldendale, WA

Start cabbage from seed indoors Mar 3–17, then plant the young plants in the garden in Goldendale Apr 21 – May 26. For a fall harvest, plant again Jul 3–17.

Moderate Plant young plants (starts)

Why these dates

Goldendale's typical last spring frost is May 19. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 4 weeks before that.

Inland Northwest. Higher, colder interior valleys. Cold springs and an earlier fall mean a shorter season; quick-maturing varieties pay off.

Difficulty: Moderate
Sun: Full sun
Spacing: 18 inches apart
Planting depth: Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot
Frost: Handles light frost
First harvest: About 75 days after planting

Step by step

Start seeds indoors Mar 3–17 in trays or small pots under a grow light or in your sunniest window. Or skip this step and buy young plants (starts) at a garden center.
Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
Plant them in the garden Apr 21 – May 26, 18 inches apart. Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot.
Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
Plant again Jul 3–17 for a fall harvest.
Harvest: Cut when heads feel firm when squeezed. Water evenly to keep heads from splitting.

Varieties that do well here

Golden Acre
Early Jersey Wakefield
January King (winter)

Watch out for

Cabbage worms and root maggots. Row cover from planting day prevents both.

Even watering prevents split heads.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Goldendale, WA?

Typically May 19. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 9. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Goldendale.

Is it too late to plant cabbage in Goldendale?

The spring planting window runs through May 26. If you miss it, plant again for fall from July 3 to July 17.

When should I start cabbage from seed indoors in Goldendale?

March 3 to March 17, which is 7 to 5 weeks before the April 21 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Goldendale around the same time

Planting dates for cabbage in nearby areas

Yakima, WA Apr 10 – May 15
Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland), WA Apr 1 – May 6
Walla Walla, WA Apr 1 – May 6
Moses Lake, WA Apr 1 – May 6
Ellensburg, WA Apr 15 – May 20
Ephrata and Quincy, WA Apr 1 – May 6

Full planting calendar for Goldendale · Cabbage in every city