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When to Plant Cabbage in Clark County, MO

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.

Clark County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.

At an elevation of 833 feet, Clark County receives approximately 33 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Clark County, MO (Zone 5b) Moderate season
185 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
185 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Clark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 29

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
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 413 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,220 GDD — county provides 2,821 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Clark County, MO

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Aug 23
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Aug 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
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 5b

Growing Season

185 days

Growing Tips for Clark 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 Clark County, MO?

Clark County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clark County, MO?

Clark County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clark County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Clark County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.