When to plant cabbage in Richmond
Cabbage is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Richmond's frost dates of Apr 1.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 18 – Mar 11
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 11 – Apr 1
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 20 – Jun 19
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 6 – Jul 20
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 21 – Oct 21
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 100 d
Richmond's 217-day season leaves this much room.
Cabbage on Richmond'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
FROST
FROST
APR 1
NOV 4
Common questions
When will cabbage be ready to harvest in Richmond?
Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 20–Jun 19) in Richmond, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start cabbage seeds indoors in Richmond?
Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 18–Mar 11) in Richmond, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant cabbage outdoors in Richmond?
Transplant outdoors around mid March (Mar 11–Apr 1) in Richmond, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.
Can I plant cabbage in autumn in Richmond?
Yes — Richmond supports a second, autumn sowing of cabbage around early July (Jul 6–Jul 20), timed to mature before the first fall frost.
How long is the growing season in Richmond?
Richmond has roughly 217 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 Richmond's frost dates.
Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.