Blog

When to Plant Cabbage in Henry 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.

Henry County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 1,382 feet, Henry County receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Henry County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
205 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Henry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 16

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,400 GDD — county provides 3,587 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Henry County, TN

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 20
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 13
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 2
Harvest June 8 Jun 8 โ€“ Aug 3

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 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 7a

Growing Season

205 days

Growing Tips for Henry 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 Henry County, TN?

Henry County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Henry County, TN?

Henry County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Henry County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.