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When to Plant Cabbage in Cherokee County, NC

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.

Cherokee County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.

At an elevation of 2,714 feet, Cherokee County receives approximately 41.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, 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.

Cherokee County, NC (Zone 7a) Moderate season
185 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
185 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Cherokee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 31

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 106 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,520 GDD — county provides 3,515 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Cherokee County, NC

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 2
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest June 20 Jun 20 โ€“ Aug 15

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 Transplant Outdoors
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 7a

Growing Season

185 days

Growing Tips for Cherokee 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 Cherokee County, NC?

Cherokee County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cherokee County, NC?

Cherokee County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cherokee County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Cherokee County, NC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.