When to Plant Cabbage in Washington, District of Columbia (20076)

Location

Washington, District of Columbia

ZIP Code

20076

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Sunday, April 5, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Sunday, February 22, 2026

Transplant Outdoors

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Based on last frost Sunday, April 5, 2026 · Zone 7b

Pro tip: Start Cabbage seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Sunday, April 5, 2026.

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Brassica oleracea var. capitata

Days to Maturity 70 days

Mature Height 12-18"

Spread 24"

Type Head

Fruit Size Large (2-5 lb head)

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun to Partial Shade

💧

Water

Regular (1-1.5 inches/week)

↔️

Spacing

18" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.5" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 4-10 days

Ready to Plant Cabbage in Washington?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Sunday, February 22, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

CeleryDillOnionPotatoChamomile

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

StrawberryTomatoGrape

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Cabbage

See which plants help Cabbage thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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Common Cabbage Varieties

Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.

Golden Acre

green 63d

Small, early-maturing green cabbage ideal for home gardens; ready in 63 days.

Red Acre

red 76d

Compact red cabbage with dense heads and excellent color; great for slaws and pickling.

Savoy Perfection

savoy 90d

Crinkled-leaf savoy cabbage with milder, more complex flavor than smooth-leaf types.

January King

winter 200d

Cold-hardy heirloom with beautiful blue-green leaves tinged purple; survives heavy frost.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🔴 Difficult

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Cut an X in the head to allow seed stalk to push through. Harvest seed pods when tan.

Processing

Thresh dried seed stalks, winnow to separate seeds.

Seed Viability

Up to 5 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

B. oleracea — crosses with broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower. Requires 1000-foot isolation.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 14 plants of Cabbage. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cabbage in Washington, District of Columbia? +

In Washington (Zone 7b), start Cabbage seeds indoors around Sunday, February 22, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Sunday, April 5, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Washington, District of Columbia? +

The average last spring frost date for Washington, District of Columbia (ZIP 20076) is around Sunday, April 5, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 7b.

How long does Cabbage take to grow? +

Cabbage typically matures in about 70 days from transplanting. In Washington, that means you can expect harvest around Sunday, April 5, 2026 plus 70 days.

Should I start Cabbage indoors or direct sow in District of Columbia? +

Cabbage should be started indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date. In Washington, that means starting around Sunday, February 22, 2026.

📚 More Cabbage Planting Guides

🗺️

Cabbage in District of Columbia

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 7b Cabbage Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Washington

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Cabbage in Zone 7b

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is a popular garden vegetable. In Washington, District of Columbia, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b, you should start seeds indoors around Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Sunday, April 5, 2026. Plan to transplant your Cabbage seedlings outdoors around Sunday, April 5, 2026, about 0 weeks after your last frost date.