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When to Plant Cabbage in Macoupin County, IL

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.

Macoupin County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 859 feet, Macoupin County receives approximately 30.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Macoupin County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Macoupin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 17

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 563 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,400 GDD — county provides 3,377 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Macoupin County, IL

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 18
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 โ€“ Aug 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
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 6a

Growing Season

193 days

Growing Tips for Macoupin 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 Macoupin County, IL?

Macoupin County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Macoupin County, IL?

Macoupin County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Macoupin County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Macoupin County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.