Planting guide · zone 8a
When to plant cabbage in zone 8a
In zone 8a, the average last spring frost is Mar 25 and the first fall frost is Nov 12. Here is cabbage's whole year, counted from those dates.
Jan 28Start seeds indoorsSpring
Mar 4Transplant into the gardenSpring
Jul 30Start seeds indoorsFall
Aug 27Transplant into the gardenFall
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Soil & site
A heavy feeder — generous compost, steady moisture. Erratic watering after heads form makes them split.
Seedling care
Plant starts deep like broccoli. Closer spacing gives smaller, denser heads — 12 in is fine for fresh eating.
Growing notes
The most cold-tolerant of the big brassicas; mature heads shrug off the low 20s.
Harvest
Squeeze — a ready head is hard as a ball. Cut and leave the outer leaves; small secondary heads often follow.
Same crop, other zones
Cabbage in zone 7a →Cabbage in zone 7b →Cabbage in zone 8b →Cabbage in zone 9a →