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When to Plant Cabbage in Mobile County, AL

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.

Mobile County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 3 and the first fall frost is November 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 266 days.

At an elevation of 101 feet, Mobile County receives approximately 48.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Cabbage may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Cabbage will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Mobile County, AL (Zone 8b) Long season
266 days
Last Spring Frost March 3
266 growing days
First Fall Frost November 24

Mobile County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (152 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 15 Transplant: Feb 19 🍅 Harvest: Apr 23 – Jun 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (147 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 27 Transplant: Mar 3 🍅 Harvest: May 5 – Jun 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (147 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 17

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,820 GDD — county provides 6,051 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Mobile County, AL

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 27 Jan 27 โ€“ Feb 10
Transplant Outdoors March 3 Mar 3 โ€“ Mar 17
Direct Sow February 17 Feb 17 โ€“ Mar 10
Fall Sowing September 15 Sep 15 โ€“ Sep 29
Harvest May 5 May 5 โ€“ Jun 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

266 days

Growing Tips for Mobile County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cabbage in Mobile County, AL?

Mobile County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 3. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mobile County, AL?

Mobile County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 3 and first fall frost is November 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Mobile County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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