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When to Plant Cabbage in Bledsoe County, TN

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.

Bledsoe County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 3,897 feet, Bledsoe County receives approximately 48 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Bledsoe County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Bledsoe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20

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.

Soil Compatibility in Bledsoe County

How your county's soil matches Cabbage's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4โ€“6.7) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Bledsoe County is excellent for Cabbage โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Cabbage.

How to Plant Cabbage

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cabbage

3
successive plantings in your 197-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 17 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 16.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cabbage needs ~1,580 GDD — county provides 3,890 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Bledsoe County, TN

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 18
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Aug 30
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 โ€“ Aug 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.9"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

197 days in Bledsoe County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Bledsoe County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after April 11 in Bledsoe County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Summer highs in Bledsoe County reach 93ยฐF โ€” grow Cabbage as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

Common pests for Cabbage in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Bledsoe County, TN?

Bledsoe County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bledsoe County, TN?

Bledsoe County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bledsoe County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Bledsoe County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.