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When to Plant Cabbage in Macon 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.

Macon County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 2,524 feet, Macon County receives approximately 47.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Macon County, TN (Zone 6b) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Macon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 18

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
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 28 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,220 GDD — county provides 3,065 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Macon County, TN

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Apr 24
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 2
Harvest June 12 Jun 12 โ€“ Aug 7

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 6b

Growing Season

201 days

Growing Tips for Macon 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 Macon County, TN?

Macon County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Macon County, TN?

Macon County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Macon County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Macon County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.