Planting guide · zone 8b
When to plant cabbage in zone 8b
In zone 8b, the average last spring frost is Mar 12 and the first fall frost is Nov 22. Here is cabbage's whole year, counted from those dates.
Jan 15Start seeds indoorsSpring
Feb 19Transplant into the gardenSpring
Aug 9Start seeds indoorsFall
Sep 6Transplant 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 7b →Cabbage in zone 8a →Cabbage in zone 9a →Cabbage in zone 9b →