When to plant cabbage in New York City

Cabbage is cold-hardy, so every date keys off New York City's frost dates of Mar 30.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 16 – Mar 9
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 18 – Apr 8
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 27 – Jun 26
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 21 – Aug 4
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 6 – Nov 5
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 100 d
New York City's 234-day season leaves this much room.
Cabbage on New York City'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
MAR 30
NOV 19

Common questions

When will cabbage be ready to harvest in New York City?

Expect to harvest from around late May (May 27–Jun 26) in New York City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start cabbage seeds indoors in New York City?

Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 16–Mar 9) in New York City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant cabbage outdoors in New York City?

Transplant outdoors around mid March (Mar 18–Apr 8) in New York City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

Can I plant cabbage in autumn in New York City?

Yes — New York City supports a second, autumn sowing of cabbage around late July (Jul 21–Aug 4), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in New York City?

New York City has roughly 234 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 New York City's frost dates.

Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.