Blog

When to Plant Cabbage in Pinal County, AZ

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.

Pinal County, Arizona is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 23 and the first fall frost is November 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 277 days.

At an elevation of 3,959 feet, Pinal County receives approximately 15.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98ยฐF, 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. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Cabbage successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Pinal County, AZ (Zone 9a) Year-round
277 days
Last Spring Frost February 23
277 growing days
First Fall Frost November 27

Pinal County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7-8.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (166 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 13 Transplant: Feb 10 🍅 Harvest: Apr 14 – Jun 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (158 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 26 Transplant: Feb 23 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – Jun 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (146 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 21

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
0.2″/week
You supply
1.3″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 3,151 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cabbage needs ~1,880 GDD — county provides 6,533 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Pinal County, AZ

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 26 Jan 26 โ€“ Feb 9
Transplant Outdoors February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 9
Direct Sow February 2 Feb 2 โ€“ Feb 23
Fall Sowing October 2 Oct 2 โ€“ Oct 16
Harvest April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ Jun 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

Growing Season

277 days

Growing Tips for Pinal 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 Pinal County, AZ?

Pinal County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 23. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pinal County, AZ?

Pinal County, Arizona is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 23 and first fall frost is November 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pinal County gardeners in Zone 9a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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