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When to Plant Cabbage in Wood 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.

Wood County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 177 days.

At an elevation of 714 feet, Wood County receives approximately 41.1 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.

Wood County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
177 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
177 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Wood 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 (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (55 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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 512 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,040 GDD — county provides 2,301 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Wood County, OH

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Aug 24

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 Wood 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 Wood County, OH?

Wood County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wood County, OH?

Wood County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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