Blog

When to Plant Cabbage in Martin County, IN

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.

Martin County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 884 feet, Martin County receives approximately 34.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Martin County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Martin 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 (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27

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 Martin County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0โ€“7.1) is within Cabbage's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.0%) โ€” Cabbage will thrive.

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

3
successive plantings in your 191-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 13 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 12.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 225 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,280 GDD — county provides 3,056 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Martin County, IN

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ Apr 27
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 20
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Aug 10

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.9"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

191 days in Martin County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Martin County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after April 13 in Martin County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Martin County, IN?

Martin County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Martin County, IN?

Martin County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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