How to Grow Spring Cabbage for Early Harvests

Spring cabbage is one of the first rewarding crops of the gardening year. With proper timing and care, you can enjoy crisp, sweet heads weeks before summer heat arrives. Over my 30+ years of growing cool-weather vegetables in raised beds, I’ve learned that the key to successful spring cabbage is starting early—well before the last frost date—so plants mature while temperatures are still mild.

Table of Contents

1. Choose the Right Variety

For spring harvests, select early-maturing varieties that produce compact, tender heads:

Golden Acre – Classic early cabbage ready in 60–65 days.
Primo – Small, flavorful heads ideal for raised beds or containers.
Early Jersey Wakefield – Pointed heads with sweet flavor and quick maturity.

My iinsight: In my Sonoma Valley garden (Zone 9), I’ve found Golden Acre delivers consistently crisp leaves by late April, even in warmer springs.

2. Start Seeds Indoors Early

Timing: Start seeds 6–8 weeks before your last expected frost.
Containers: Use cell trays or 3-inch pots with a quality seed-starting mix.
Temperature: Maintain 65–75°F for germination; provide bright light to prevent leggy seedlings.

3. Transplant Before Frost-Free Date

Cabbage thrives in cool weather and tolerates light frost.

Harden off seedlings for 7–10 days before transplanting.
Plant 2–4 weeks before the last frost date.
Space plants 12–18 inches apart in rows 18–24 inches apart.

My insight: I transplant in late February so heads mature in cool April weather, avoiding the stress of sudden May heat spikes.

4. Provide Consistent Care

Water: Keep soil evenly moist—spring winds can dry beds quickly.
Feeding: Side-dress with compost or a balanced fertilizer when plants are half-grown.
Protection: Use floating row covers to shield young plants from cabbage worms and flea beetles.

5. Harvest at Peak Flavor

Harvest when heads are firm and about the size of a softball to volleyball.
Cut just above the outer leaves; smaller side shoots may form for a second harvest.

My takeaway: The sweetest spring cabbage comes from heads that mature during cool, consistent temperatures. A light frost before harvest can enhance flavor.

Spring Cabbage Planting Calendar

USDA Zone	Start Seeds Indoors	Transplant Outdoors	Typical Harvest Window
3–4	10–12 weeks before last frost	4–6 weeks before last frost	Late June–July
5	8–10 weeks before last frost	3–4 weeks before last frost	Late May–June
6	8 weeks before last frost	3 weeks before last frost	Mid–May–June
7	6–8 weeks before last frost	2–3 weeks before last frost	Late April–May
8	6 weeks before last frost	2 weeks before last frost	Mid–April–May
9	4–6 weeks before last frost	1–2 weeks before last frost	Early–Mid April
10–11	4 weeks before last frost	At last frost	March–April

Pro tip:
I’ve found these timings work best when you also track soil temperature—spring cabbage transplants do best when soil is 50–65°F. Planting too early in cold, waterlogged soil can slow growth, while planting too late risks heat stress.