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When to Plant Cabbage in Lauderdale County, MS

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.

Lauderdale County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 233 days.

At an elevation of 180 feet, Lauderdale County receives approximately 56.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cabbage root diseases.

Lauderdale County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
233 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
233 growing days
First Fall Frost November 8

Lauderdale County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jul 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 9

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,580 GDD — county provides 4,601 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Lauderdale County, MS

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Feb 27
Transplant Outdoors March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 3
Direct Sow March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 27
Fall Sowing August 30 Aug 30 โ€“ Sep 13
Harvest May 22 May 22 โ€“ Jul 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
May Harvest
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 8a

Growing Season

233 days

Growing Tips for Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale County, MS?

Lauderdale County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lauderdale County, MS?

Lauderdale County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 8.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lauderdale County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Lauderdale County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.