FrostCal

When to Plant Cabbage in District of Columbia

In a typical District of Columbia location, start seeds indoors Feb 8 – Feb 22, then transplant outdoors Mar 1 – Mar 15. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 24 in Washington and as late as Mar 12 in Chevy Chase. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 30 – Sep 13.

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
WashingtonFeb 3 – Feb 17Feb 24 – Mar 10Sep 9 – Sep 23
Downtown DCFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 1 – Mar 15Aug 30 – Sep 13
Columbia HeightsFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 1 – Mar 15Aug 30 – Sep 13
Mount PleasantFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 12 – Mar 26Aug 22 – Sep 5
Central 14th Street / Spring RoadFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 1 – Mar 15Aug 30 – Sep 13
Northwest OneFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 1 – Mar 15Aug 30 – Sep 13
Foggy BottomFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 12 – Mar 26Aug 22 – Sep 5
Mount Vernon TriangleFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 1 – Mar 15Aug 30 – Sep 13
H Street NEFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 1 – Mar 15Aug 30 – Sep 13
Pleasant PlainsFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 1 – Mar 15Aug 30 – Sep 13
NoMaFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 1 – Mar 15Aug 30 – Sep 13
PetworthFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 1 – Mar 15Aug 30 – Sep 13
Capitol RiverfrontFeb 3 – Feb 17Feb 24 – Mar 10Sep 9 – Sep 23
Park ViewFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 1 – Mar 15Aug 30 – Sep 13
Golden TriangleFeb 3 – Feb 17Feb 24 – Mar 10Sep 9 – Sep 23
ShawFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 1 – Mar 15Aug 30 – Sep 13
BrightwoodFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 1 – Mar 15Aug 30 – Sep 13
Adams MorganFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 1 – Mar 15Aug 30 – Sep 13
Kennedy StreetFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 1 – Mar 15Aug 30 – Sep 13
Southwest WaterfrontFeb 3 – Feb 17Feb 24 – Mar 10Sep 9 – Sep 23
Barracks RowFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 1 – Mar 15Aug 30 – Sep 13
Union MarketFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 1 – Mar 15Aug 30 – Sep 13
AnacostiaFeb 3 – Feb 17Feb 24 – Mar 10Sep 9 – Sep 23
Colorado TriangleFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 12 – Mar 26Aug 22 – Sep 5
Brentwood VillageFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 1 – Mar 15Aug 30 – Sep 13
The WharfFeb 3 – Feb 17Feb 24 – Mar 10Sep 9 – Sep 23
Central 14th Street / WMATA Northern Bus BarnFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 1 – Mar 15Aug 30 – Sep 13
Van NessFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 12 – Mar 26Aug 22 – Sep 5
Benning RoadFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 1 – Mar 15Aug 30 – Sep 13
HillcrestFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 1 – Mar 15Aug 30 – Sep 13

Showing the 30 most populous of 35 District of Columbia cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all District of Columbia cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cabbage in District of Columbia?

In a typical District of Columbia location, start seeds indoors Feb 8 – Feb 22, then transplant outdoors Mar 1 – Mar 15. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 24 in Washington and as late as Mar 12 in Chevy Chase. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 30 – Sep 13.

When is the last frost in District of Columbia?

The average last spring frost in District of Columbia ranges from March 24 in Washington to April 9 in Chevy Chase, 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 District of Columbia

When to plant cabbage in other states

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