here in Idaho zone 5 we start them in mid February, plant mid to late Apr.
Then we start another batch late May for planting mid July after the garlics done. Same with brocolli.

What is the soil like (pH, texture)? How much nitrogen? Is it full sun or less than? There are short season and long season cabbages. Short season will make it in full sun if transplanted in mid-June to mid-July, long season prefer the April planting that you are using. Short season might bolt if planted at that time. What do other brassicas do in your garden?

As a very general guideline most brassicas/cole crops like cabbage are planted 6 weeks to a full month before tomatoes and/or peppers. So in theory if you plant your tomatoes Memorial Day then your cabbages would have been planted in mid-to late April. If willing to cover/protect as needed from late freezes they can go out even earlier. They are often one of the first things planted out to the garden as they are quite cold tolerant but not very heat tolerant.

But as glib said above 'how' tolerant all depends on the variety you use. Late Flat Dutch is a 100 day cabbage variety and is often planted here in mid to late February while Early Jersey Wakefield is only a 70 day cabbage and tho very cold tolerant still does good here with even later planting dates.

Dave

Cabbage is the only brassica we've tried to grow and none of my neighbors even grow that so I've nothing to compare. But I am going to try your suggestion about planting in late April and rig a cover for colder nights.

Thanks much!
Edie

I have started cabbage seeds indoors about March 17th for a transplant out about April 13th. This includes fully hardening them in before setting out. After the roots are established, the plants can handle the chilly nights. If a freeze comes during the first week after transplant, cover the plants up over night.

When do I plant garlic I am starting some inside I let them sprout in the little green house then trasplant in small pot
when do I take them out.

When do I plant garlic I am starting some inside I let them sprout in the little green house then trasplant in small pot
when do I take them out.

Off topic for this thread. Search all the garlic discussions. It depends to some degree on the variety but normally garlic is planted in the fall and over-wintered.

Dave

Thanks, Wayne - that pinpoints better when I should start. I appreciate it! We've actually decided to try growing them in my raised bed (that will be a 16' long row) so we can prep the soil, since in all likelihood we won't be able to get into the main bed yet in mid-April. I know that a 16' row won't support a huge amount of plants, but this is an experimental year for this. And considering that we've only harvested 2 or 3 heads in previous years, anything we get over that is a bonus! If we have great success, we will probably have to build a bigger 2nd raised bed for 2014!!

Edie

In zone 7B in Maryland I start them in February and take them out to the Garden April first. I saw some neighbors planting them out in March but I think it is too cold.

Well I've got mine hardened off from growing indoors by April 10th. I normally plant them April 15th with broccoli and candy onion plants and radishes . Although the radishes and turnips I plant earlier if 5h3 we a ther good and the ground can be tilled

Almost 8 years too late to plant in Ohio in 2013.

Jack Ruby has returned from the dead as a zombie gardener! Who killed JFK?