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When to Plant Cabbage in Bradford County, FL

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.

Bradford County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 1 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 272 days.

At an elevation of 297 feet, Bradford County receives approximately 51.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cabbage root diseases.

Bradford County, FL (Zone 9a) Year-round
272 days
Last Spring Frost March 1
272 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Bradford County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (160 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: Apr 18 – Jun 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (153 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – Jun 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (154 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jul 19

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
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,207 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,880 GDD — county provides 6,392 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Bradford County, FL

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 1 Feb 1 โ€“ Feb 15
Transplant Outdoors March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 15
Direct Sow February 8 Feb 8 โ€“ Mar 1
Fall Sowing October 3 Oct 3 โ€“ Oct 17
Harvest May 3 May 3 โ€“ Jun 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
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

272 days

Growing Tips for Bradford 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 Bradford County, FL?

Bradford County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 1. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bradford County, FL?

Bradford County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 1 and first fall frost is November 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bradford County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Bradford County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.