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When to Plant Cabbage in Ashtabula County, OH

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.

Ashtabula County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.

At an elevation of 963 feet, Ashtabula County receives approximately 32.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cabbage to ensure they mature before fall.

Ashtabula County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
176 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
176 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Ashtabula County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 16

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
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 363 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,040 GDD — county provides 2,288 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Ashtabula County, OH

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 13
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ May 6
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 โ€“ Aug 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

176 days

Growing Tips for Ashtabula 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 Ashtabula County, OH?

Ashtabula County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ashtabula County, OH?

Ashtabula County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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