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When to Plant Cabbage in Pike 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.

Pike County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 248 days.

At an elevation of 325 feet, Pike County receives approximately 49.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Cabbage may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Cabbage, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Pike County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
248 days
Last Spring Frost March 13
248 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Pike County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jul 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 3

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,700 GDD — county provides 5,270 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Pike County, MS

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 โ€“ Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Mar 27
Direct Sow February 27 Feb 27 โ€“ Mar 20
Fall Sowing September 7 Sep 7 โ€“ Sep 21
Harvest May 15 May 15 โ€“ Jul 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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

248 days

Growing Tips for Pike 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 Pike County, MS?

Pike County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pike County, MS?

Pike County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pike 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 Pike County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.