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When to Plant Cabbage in Pulaski 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.

Pulaski County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 1,244 feet, Pulaski County receives approximately 30.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Pulaski County, IL (Zone 6b) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Pulaski County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 18

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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 707 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Cabbage needs ~1,100 GDD — county provides 2,695 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Pulaski County, IL

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 โ€“ Aug 6

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 6b

Growing Season

196 days

Growing Tips for Pulaski 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 Pulaski County, IL?

Pulaski County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pulaski County, IL?

Pulaski County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pulaski County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Pulaski County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.