Blog

When to Plant Cabbage in Madison 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.

Madison County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 1,852 feet, Madison County receives approximately 46.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season.

Madison County, TN (Zone 7b) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
209 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Madison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 15

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 111 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,340 GDD — county provides 3,500 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Madison County, TN

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Direct Sow March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 9
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 2
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Jul 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 7b

Growing Season

209 days

Growing Tips for Madison 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 Madison County, TN?

Madison County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Madison County, TN?

Madison County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Madison County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Madison County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.