Blog

When to Plant Cabbage in McCracken County, KY

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.

McCracken County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 214 days.

At an elevation of 1,445 feet, McCracken County receives approximately 48 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

McCracken County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
214 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
214 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

McCracken County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 110 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 3,103 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” McCracken County, KY

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 9
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 13
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Apr 6
Fall Sowing August 21 Aug 21 โ€“ Sep 4
Harvest June 1 Jun 1 โ€“ Jul 27

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 โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 6b

Growing Season

214 days

Growing Tips for McCracken 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 McCracken County, KY?

McCracken County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is McCracken County, KY?

McCracken County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is October 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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