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When to Plant Cabbage in St. Johns 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.

St. Johns County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 9 and the first fall frost is December 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 296 days.

At an elevation of 57 feet, St. Johns County receives approximately 51.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 99ยฐF, 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.

St. Johns County, FL (Zone 9a) Year-round
296 days
Last Spring Frost February 9
296 growing days
First Fall Frost December 2

St. Johns 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 (188 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 28 Transplant: Jan 25 🍅 Harvest: Mar 29 – May 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (177 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 12 Transplant: Feb 9 🍅 Harvest: Apr 13 – Jun 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (168 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 8

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 880 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cabbage needs ~1,940 GDD — county provides 7,202 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” St. Johns County, FL

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 12 Jan 12 โ€“ Jan 26
Transplant Outdoors February 9 Feb 9 โ€“ Feb 23
Direct Sow January 19 Jan 19 โ€“ Feb 9
Fall Sowing October 7 Oct 7 โ€“ Oct 21
Harvest April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ Jun 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

296 days

Growing Tips for St. Johns 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 St. Johns County, FL?

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

What planting zone is St. Johns County, FL?

St. Johns County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 9 and first fall frost is December 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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