FrostCal

When to Plant Cabbage in California

In a typical California location, start seeds indoors Nov 28 – Dec 12, then transplant outdoors Dec 19 – Jan 2. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Dec 1 in San Mateo and as late as Apr 29 in Big Bear City. For a fall crop, plant around Oct 9 – Oct 23. 103 cities in California are essentially frost-free and can plant on a year-round schedule.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–100 days

Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.

Cabbage Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplantFall planting
Los AngelesFrost-free: year-round planting
San DiegoFrost-free: year-round planting
San JoseNov 14 – Nov 28Dec 5 – Dec 19Oct 16 – Oct 30
San FranciscoFrost-free: year-round planting
FresnoNov 26 – Dec 10Dec 17 – Dec 31Oct 5 – Oct 19
SacramentoNov 24 – Dec 8Dec 15 – Dec 29Oct 7 – Oct 21
Long BeachFrost-free: year-round planting
OaklandFrost-free: year-round planting
BakersfieldDec 13 – Dec 27Jan 3 – Jan 17Sep 29 – Oct 13
AnaheimFrost-free: year-round planting
RiversideNov 21 – Dec 5Dec 12 – Dec 26Oct 16 – Oct 30
Santa AnaFrost-free: year-round planting
StocktonDec 18 – Jan 1Jan 8 – Jan 22Sep 29 – Oct 13
Chula VistaFrost-free: year-round planting
IrvineFrost-free: year-round planting
FremontNov 19 – Dec 3Dec 10 – Dec 24Oct 13 – Oct 27
San BernardinoDec 9 – Dec 23Dec 30 – Jan 13Oct 10 – Oct 24
FontanaNov 22 – Dec 6Dec 13 – Dec 27Oct 24 – Nov 7
ModestoDec 13 – Dec 27Jan 3 – Jan 17Sep 26 – Oct 10
OxnardFrost-free: year-round planting
Moreno ValleyDec 9 – Dec 23Dec 30 – Jan 13Oct 10 – Oct 24
Huntington BeachFrost-free: year-round planting
GlendaleNov 14 – Nov 28Dec 5 – Dec 19Oct 17 – Oct 31
Santa ClaritaNov 20 – Dec 4Dec 11 – Dec 25Oct 23 – Nov 6
Santa RosaJan 7 – Jan 21Jan 28 – Feb 11Sep 22 – Oct 6
OceansideFrost-free: year-round planting
Garden GroveFrost-free: year-round planting
Rancho CucamongaNov 16 – Nov 30Dec 7 – Dec 21Oct 21 – Nov 4
OntarioNov 16 – Nov 30Dec 7 – Dec 21Oct 21 – Nov 4
Elk GroveDec 15 – Dec 29Jan 5 – Jan 19Sep 23 – Oct 7

Showing the 30 most populous of 530 California cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all California cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cabbage in California?

In a typical California location, start seeds indoors Nov 28 – Dec 12, then transplant outdoors Dec 19 – Jan 2. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Dec 1 in San Mateo and as late as Apr 29 in Big Bear City. For a fall crop, plant around Oct 9 – Oct 23. 103 cities in California are essentially frost-free and can plant on a year-round schedule.

When is the last frost in California?

The average last spring frost in California ranges from January 1 in Palm Springs to December 31 in Sunland, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do cabbage take to grow?

Cabbage typically take 60–100 days from planting to harvest. Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.

Other Crops in California

When to plant cabbage in other states

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