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When to Plant Cabbage in Knox 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.

Knox County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 169 days.

At an elevation of 861 feet, Knox County receives approximately 33 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Knox County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
169 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
169 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Knox County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 11 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 12

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
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 722 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,220 GDD — county provides 2,577 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Knox 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 6 Aug 6 โ€“ Aug 20
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

169 days

Growing Tips for Knox 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 Knox County, OH?

Knox 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 Knox County, OH?

Knox County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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