Blog

When to Plant Cabbage in Lumpkin 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.

Lumpkin County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 224 days.

At an elevation of 147 feet, Lumpkin County receives approximately 48.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, 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.

Lumpkin County, GA (Zone 7a) Long season
224 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
224 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Lumpkin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (100 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 Lumpkin County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8โ€“6.6) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). 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 224-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 29 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 28.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Cabbage

Cabbage needs approximately 0.9 inches of water per week (3.9" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Cabbage Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 4.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 3.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 3.9" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3.9" 3.6" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 3.9" 4.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 4.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 3.4" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 3.9" 3.3" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 3.9" 3.6" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 4.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Lumpkin County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cabbage Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Cabbage needs ~1,520 GDD — county provides 4,256 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Lumpkin County, GA

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Apr 3
Harvest May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jul 24
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 โ€“ Sep 11

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 Harvest
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: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

224 days in Lumpkin County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Lumpkin County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after March 27 in Lumpkin County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Lumpkin County's clay soil (29% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Cabbage. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Summer highs in Lumpkin County reach 92ยฐF 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cabbage in Lumpkin County, GA?

Lumpkin County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lumpkin County, GA?

Lumpkin County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lumpkin County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Lumpkin County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.