Blog

When to Plant Cabbage in Dawson County, GA

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.

Dawson County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 433 feet, Dawson County receives approximately 54.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Cabbage, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cabbage root diseases.

Dawson County, GA (Zone 7b) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Dawson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jul 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 22

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 Dawson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2โ€“6.3) is more acidic than Cabbage prefers (6.0โ€“7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). 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 217-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 26 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 25.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,640 GDD — county provides 4,448 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Dawson County, GA

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 24 Feb 24 โ€“ Mar 10
Transplant Outdoors March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 14
Direct Sow March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Apr 7
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Sep 8
Harvest June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Jul 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: too_acidic

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

217 days in Dawson County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Dawson County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after March 31 in Dawson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Dawson County's clay soil (32% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Cabbage. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Summer highs in Dawson County reach 94ยฐF โ€” grow Cabbage as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cabbage in Dawson County, GA?

Dawson County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dawson County, GA?

Dawson County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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