Rainline Garden

When to plant cabbage in Olympia, WA

Start cabbage from seed indoors Feb 11–25, then plant the young plants in the garden in Olympia Apr 1 – May 6. For a fall harvest, plant again Jul 22 – Aug 5.

Moderate Plant young plants (starts)

Why these dates

Olympia's typical last spring frost is April 29. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 4 weeks before that.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

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

  1. Start seeds indoors Feb 11–25 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.
  2. Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
  3. Plant them in the garden Apr 1 – May 6, 18 inches apart. Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot.
  4. Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
  5. Plant again Jul 22 – Aug 5 for a fall harvest.
  6. 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 Olympia, WA?

Typically April 29. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 15. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Olympia Airport.

Is it too late to plant cabbage in Olympia?

The spring planting window runs through May 6. If you miss it, plant again for fall from July 22 to August 5.

When should I start cabbage from seed indoors in Olympia?

February 11 to February 25, which is 7 to 5 weeks before the April 1 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Olympia around the same time

Planting dates for cabbage in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Olympia · Cabbage in every city