Cool-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Cabbage in New Hampshire

A satisfying crop that stores well. Plant in spring or fall for crisp, dense heads.

The Short Answer

Cabbage are cold-tolerant and do well in New Hampshire's varied climate. You can direct sow 4 weeks before your last frost — that's as early as May 20 - Jun 5 in Northern New Hampshire. New Hampshire gardeners can also plant a fall crop. Rocky, acidic New England soils. Glacial deposits. Granite bedrock. Raised beds essential in many...

New Hampshire Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of New Hampshire you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern New Hampshire	3b, 4a, 4b	May 20 - Jun 5	Sep 10 - Sep 25
Southern New Hampshire	5a, 5b, 6a	May 1 - May 20	Sep 25 - Oct 10

Cabbage Planting Schedule for New Hampshire

Northern New Hampshire (Zones 3b, 4a, 4b)

Average last frost: May 20 - Jun 5 · Average first frost: Sep 10 - Sep 25

Start Seeds Indoors

6 wks before frost

Transplant Outside

2 wks before frost

Direct Sow

4 wks before frost

Fall Planting

10 wks before first frost

Southern New Hampshire (Zones 5a, 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 20 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10

Start Seeds Indoors

6 wks before frost

Transplant Outside

2 wks before frost

Direct Sow

4 wks before frost

Fall Planting

10 wks before first frost

Growing Cabbage in New Hampshire

Cabbage in New Hampshire's Climate

Your cold climate is excellent cabbage country. Transplant 2-3 weeks before your last frost — cabbage handles frost well. Fall cabbage is equally rewarding: start indoors in mid-June, transplant in mid-July, and harvest dense, sweet heads after frost. Storage varieties like Danish Ballhead keep for months in a cold garage or root cellar.

Soil Considerations for New Hampshire

Rocky, acidic New England soils. Glacial deposits. Granite bedrock. Raised beds essential in many areas.

New Hampshire Climate & Growing Season

Short growing season especially in north. Cold winters. Cool summers. Hardy varieties important. Cabbage can handle frost well, which is an advantage in New Hampshire's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across New Hampshire: Northern New Hampshire (3b, 4a, 4b) has a last frost around May 20 - Jun 5, while Southern New Hampshire (5a, 5b, 6a) sees frost end around May 1 - May 20. This difference matters for cabbage — but cabbage handle frost well, so the timing difference is less critical.

Growing Tips

Consistent watering prevents head splitting. Heads can handle light frost — it actually improves flavor.

Companion Planting

Plant cabbage alongside these companions for better growth:

Beets Celery Onions Dill

Keep cabbage away from:

Strawberries Tomatoes

The Bottom Line

Cabbage can be grown successfully across New Hampshire, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern New Hampshire gardeners should plan around a May 20 - Jun 5 last frost, while those in Southern New Hampshire can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026