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When to Plant Cabbage in Franklin 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.

Franklin County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 25 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 276 days.

At an elevation of 487 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 59.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, 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.

Franklin County, FL (Zone 8b) Year-round
276 days
Last Spring Frost February 25
276 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Franklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (167 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 4 Transplant: Feb 8 🍅 Harvest: Apr 12 – Jun 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (157 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 21 Transplant: Feb 25 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – Jun 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (158 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 14

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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 966 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,760 GDD — county provides 6,094 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Franklin County, FL

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 21 Jan 21 โ€“ Feb 4
Transplant Outdoors February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 11
Direct Sow February 11 Feb 11 โ€“ Mar 4
Fall Sowing September 19 Sep 19 โ€“ Oct 3
Harvest April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ Jun 24

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 Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
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 8b

Growing Season

276 days

Growing Tips for Franklin 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 Franklin County, FL?

Franklin County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 25. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Franklin County, FL?

Franklin County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 25 and first fall frost is November 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Franklin 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 Franklin County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.