When to plant cabbage in Salt Lake City, Utah
March 3 – March 17
Transplant outdoors · typical Salt Lake City yearClimate basis: NOAA station Salt Lake Triad Ctr, UT (USC00427606), 1 mi (2 km) from downtown Salt Lake City (ZCTA 84111 centroid), elevation 4280 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant cabbage outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (March 31). One year in ten still freezes after April 19.
The Salt Lake City year
- indoors under lights
- in the garden
- frost-free season
- 1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 19
Every method, with its sources
Start seeds indoors
Jan 20 – Feb 3Sow 4–6 weeks before the set-out window opens (UNH 4–6 weeks; Missouri G6570 6–8 weeks). Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 31). University of New Hampshire Extension · University of Missouri Extension
Transplant outdoors
Mar 3 – Mar 17UNH: set out 4 weeks before the last frost; Purdue's hardy class allows 4–6 weeks before. The later UNH point is used, with a 14-day span. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 31). University of New Hampshire Extension · Purdue University Extension
Fall planting
Sep 13 – Oct 11Purdue Table 2: plant fall cabbage at least 4–8 weeks before the first fall frost. Anchored to the median first fall freeze (Nov 8). Purdue University Extension
Variety assumption: Assumes an average early-to-mid variety (about 65–80 days from transplant).
These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.
Crop rule sources (3)
- University of New Hampshire Extension: Growing Vegetables: When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden [fact sheet] (accessed 2026-07-24)Per-crop 'time from seed to transplant' and 'safe to set out in garden' relative to last frost.
- University of Missouri Extension: Starting Plants Indoors from Seeds (G6570) (accessed 2026-07-24)Weeks needed to grow vegetable transplants indoors (Table 2).
- Purdue University Extension: Indiana Vegetable Planting Calendar (HO-186-W) (accessed 2026-07-24)Hardiness classes: hardy = plant 4-6 wk before last spring frost; semi-hardy = 2-4 wk before; tender = after average last frost; very tender = at least 2 wk after. Table 2: fall planting at least 4-8 wk before first fall frost.