Blog

When to plant Cabbage in Forsyth, MO

Plant Cabbage in Forsyth after April 9; the prime window is March 26–April 16. A second sowing from August 17 to August 31 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cabbage in Forsyth, MO

Cabbage
Taney County, Missouri Zone 7a June

Top priorities for Taney County, Missouri gardeners in June

Here's what deserves your attention in Taney County, Missouri this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 9
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Start harvesting cabbage

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • First harvests: cabbage

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Cabbage is a versatile cool-season crop that forms dense, leafy heads in green, red, or savoy varieties. It is a staple for coleslaw, sauerkraut, and many global cuisines.

Forsyth, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 865 feet, Taney County receives approximately 33 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Forsyth, MO (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Forsyth Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Cabbage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Forsyth

How your county's soil matches Cabbage's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.7) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Taney County is excellent for Cabbage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Cabbage.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Cabbage.

How to Plant Cabbage

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cabbage

3
successive plantings in your 200-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 18 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 17.

Cabbage Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Cabbage

Cabbage needs approximately 0.9 inches of water per week (3.9" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Cabbage Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.9" 3.6" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
May 3.9" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 3.7" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 3.9" 3.8" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3.9" 3.4" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.9" 2.5" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.9" 2.2" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Taney County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cabbage Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Cabbage needs ~1,340 GDD — county provides 3,350 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline — Forsyth, MO

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 – Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 23
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 – Apr 16
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 – Aug 6
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 – Aug 31

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

200 days in Taney County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Forsyth

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after April 09 in Taney County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Cabbage in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost. Space plants 18-24 inches apart. Keep soil evenly moist to prevent heads from splitting.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Cabbage in Forsyth, MO?

In Forsyth, MO, plant Cabbage after the last frost (around April 9) and before the first frost (around October 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Forsyth, MO for Cabbage?

Forsyth sits in USDA Zone 7a. Cabbage grows reliably in zones 1a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cabbage grow in Forsyth's climate?

Yes — Cabbage grows well in Forsyth's temperate climate. Forsyth averages a 200-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 9 and first frost around October 26.

🌱

Your Taney County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Taney County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Taney County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.