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When to Plant Cabbage in Hickman 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.

Hickman County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 3,091 feet, Hickman County receives approximately 41.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Hickman County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Hickman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21

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 Hickman County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4โ€“7.1) overlaps with Cabbage's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). 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 200-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 18 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 17.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 54 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,640 GDD — county provides 4,100 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Hickman County, TN

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 โ€“ Aug 6

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 Only during dry spells

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

200 days in Hickman County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Hickman County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after April 09 in Hickman County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Summer highs in Hickman County reach 94ยฐF 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 Hickman County, TN?

Hickman County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hickman County, TN?

Hickman County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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