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When to Plant Cabbage in Effingham 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.

Effingham County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 249 days.

At an elevation of 344 feet, Effingham County receives approximately 60.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, 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.

Effingham County, GA (Zone 8b) Long season
249 days
Last Spring Frost March 13
249 growing days
First Fall Frost November 17

Effingham County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 5

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,820 GDD — county provides 5,664 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Effingham County, GA

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 โ€“ Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Mar 27
Direct Sow February 27 Feb 27 โ€“ Mar 20
Fall Sowing September 8 Sep 8 โ€“ Sep 22
Harvest May 15 May 15 โ€“ Jul 10

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 Harvest
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
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

249 days

Growing Tips for Effingham 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 Effingham County, GA?

Effingham County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Effingham County, GA?

Effingham County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 17.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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