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When to Plant Cabbage in Ouachita County, AR

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.

Ouachita County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 225 days.

At an elevation of 591 feet, Ouachita County receives approximately 48.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Cabbage may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat.

Ouachita County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
225 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
225 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Ouachita County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 11

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 178 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,700 GDD — county provides 4,781 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Ouachita County, AR

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 30
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Sep 8
Harvest May 25 May 25 โ€“ Jul 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 8a

Growing Season

225 days

Growing Tips for Ouachita 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 Ouachita County, AR?

Ouachita County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ouachita County, AR?

Ouachita County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Ouachita County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Ouachita County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.