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When to Plant Cabbage in Hardin 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.

Hardin County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 177 days.

At an elevation of 935 feet, Hardin County receives approximately 30.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Hardin County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
177 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
177 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Hardin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 8

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 439 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,100 GDD — county provides 2,433 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Hardin County, OH

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 10
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 โ€“ Aug 23

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 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

177 days

Growing Tips for Hardin 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 Hardin County, OH?

Hardin County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hardin County, OH?

Hardin County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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