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When to Plant Cabbage in Jefferson 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.

Jefferson County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 189 days.

At an elevation of 1,017 feet, Jefferson County receives approximately 39.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Jefferson County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
189 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
189 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Jefferson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 5

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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 695 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 2,740 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Jefferson County, OH

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Sep 3
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 โ€“ Aug 20

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
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
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 6a

Growing Season

189 days

Growing Tips for Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, OH?

Jefferson County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jefferson County, OH?

Jefferson County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jefferson County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Jefferson County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.