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When to Plant Cabbage in Robeson 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.

Robeson County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 227 days.

At an elevation of 887 feet, Robeson County receives approximately 49.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, 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.

Robeson County, NC (Zone 8a) Long season
227 days
Last Spring Frost March 24
227 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Robeson 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 (111 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 13

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 195 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cabbage needs ~1,820 GDD — county provides 5,164 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Robeson County, NC

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 17 Feb 17 โ€“ Mar 3
Transplant Outdoors March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 7
Direct Sow March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 31
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 โ€“ Sep 11
Harvest May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jul 21

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
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

227 days

Growing Tips for Robeson 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 Robeson County, NC?

Robeson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 24. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Robeson County, NC?

Robeson County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 24 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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