When to plant cabbage in Modesto
Cabbage is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Modesto's frost dates of Jan 27.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Dec 16 – Jan 6
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Dec 26 – Jan 16
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Mar 6 – Apr 5
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 4 – Aug 18
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 20 – Nov 19
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 100 d
Modesto's 310-day season leaves this much room.
Cabbage on Modesto's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
JAN 27
DEC 3
Common questions
When will cabbage be ready to harvest in Modesto?
Expect to harvest from around early March (Mar 6–Apr 5) in Modesto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When should I start cabbage seeds indoors in Modesto?
Start seeds indoors around mid December (Dec 16–Jan 6) in Modesto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
When can I transplant cabbage outdoors in Modesto?
Transplant outdoors around late December (Dec 26–Jan 16) in Modesto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
Can I plant cabbage in autumn in Modesto?
Yes — Modesto supports a second, autumn sowing of cabbage around early August (Aug 4–Aug 18), timed to mature before the first fall frost.
How long is the growing season in Modesto?
Modesto has roughly 310 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow cabbage to maturity outdoors.
The rule of thumb
Sow cabbage as soon as the soil is workable — it tolerates cool weather and light frost. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Modesto's frost dates.
Confidence 87/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.