USDA Zone 12 planting calendar
When to plant cabbage in USDA zone 12
Sowing, transplant, and harvest dates calibrated to zone 12's 365-day season (Hawaii (lowland), Puerto Rico (parts)).
Key dates for cabbage in zone 12
| Stage | When | Anchor |
|---|---|---|
| Direct sow outdoors | October — February (the cool dry season is your spring) | No frost — plant in the cool months |
| First harvest (estimate) | ~80 days after sowing | ~80 days from sow |
Dates are zone-wide averages. Local microclimates (south-facing slopes, urban heat, lakeside warmth, elevation) can shift the planting window by 1-2 weeks within the same zone.
Why this timing works for zone 12
Zone 12 has average annual minimum temperatures of 50 to 60°F and a 365-day frost-free window from no frost to no frost. Cabbage are hardy enough to handle light frost — and in fact prefer cool weather. They bolt or turn bitter once daytime temperatures consistently climb above 24 °C, which is why earlier is better in zone 12.
Cabbage is one of the hardier brassicas, tolerating temperatures down to around −7 °C (20 °F) once established; light frost actually improves flavour. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before last spring frost and transplant 3–4 weeks before last frost. Spacing affects head size — 30 cm (12 in) produces smaller, tender heads; 60 cm (24 in) allows large storage types. Heads will split if left in the field after maturing or after rain following drought stress. For fall crops, count back from first expected autumn frost — most varieties need 70–120 days.
Quick-grow guide
- Sun: Full sun — 6+ hours direct.
- Soil temperature for germination: 7–29 °C (45–85 °F).
- Spacing: 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) between plants.
- Days to harvest from direct sow: ~80 days.
- Plant in cool weather and provide afternoon shade once temperatures climb above 24 °C.
Common mistakes — zone 12 × cabbage
- Spring planting: zone 12 springs are too short — sow cabbage in autumn for a winter and early-spring harvest instead.
- Waiting for "warm" soil — these crops germinate at 7-10 °C and bolt the moment summer heat sets in.
Source and methodology
Frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online within each USDA hardiness zone. Hardiness zone boundaries from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023). Crop timing offsets calibrated against US Cooperative Extension Service publications (UNL, UMN, NC State, Texas A&M, UF/IFAS) and cross-checked against the RHS sowing calendar for en-GB readers. Curated by the Growli editorial team.
Keep going
- How to grow cabbage — full guide
- USDA Zone 12 — frost dates and what else to plant
- All 13 USDA hardiness zones
Same crop, nearby zones
- When to plant cabbage in USDA zone 10
- When to plant cabbage in USDA zone 11
- When to plant cabbage in USDA zone 13