Blog

When to Plant Cabbage in Pulaski 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.

Pulaski County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 1,055 feet, Pulaski County receives approximately 48.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Pulaski County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Pulaski County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (117 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 6

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 Pulaski County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5โ€“7.0) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Pulaski County is excellent for Cabbage โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). 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

4
successive plantings in your 236-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 02.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 62 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 โ€” 4.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 3.9" 4.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3.9" 3.6" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 3.9" 4.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 4.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 4.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 3.4" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 3.9" 3" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 3.9" 4.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec โ€” 4.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Pulaski County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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 ~1,280 GDD — county provides 3,776 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Pulaski County, AR

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Feb 27
Transplant Outdoors March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 3
Direct Sow March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 27
Harvest May 22 May 22 โ€“ Jul 17
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.9"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

236 days in Pulaski County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Pulaski County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after March 20 in Pulaski 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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cabbage in Pulaski County, AR?

Pulaski County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pulaski County, AR?

Pulaski County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pulaski County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Pulaski County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.