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When to Plant Cabbage in Volusia 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.

Volusia County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 3 and the first fall frost is December 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 321 days.

At an elevation of 382 feet, Volusia County receives approximately 54.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, 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.

Volusia County, FL (Zone 9a) Year-round
321 days
Last Spring Frost February 3
321 growing days
First Fall Frost December 21

Volusia County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (213 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 22 Transplant: Jan 19 🍅 Harvest: Mar 23 – May 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (202 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 6 Transplant: Feb 3 🍅 Harvest: Apr 7 – Jun 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (179 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Mar 3 🍅 Harvest: May 5 – Jun 30

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 981 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Cabbage needs ~1,700 GDD — county provides 6,842 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Volusia County, FL

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 6 Jan 6 โ€“ Jan 20
Transplant Outdoors February 3 Feb 3 โ€“ Feb 17
Direct Sow January 13 Jan 13 โ€“ Feb 3
Fall Sowing October 26 Oct 26 โ€“ Nov 9
Harvest April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Jun 2

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 Fall Sowing
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

321 days

Growing Tips for Volusia 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 Volusia County, FL?

Volusia County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 3. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Volusia County, FL?

Volusia County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 3 and first fall frost is December 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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